Prologus Here begynneth the prologue of the storye of Thebes

¶ This is the Royall Cyte of Thebes.

¶ Here begynneth the prologue of the Storye of Thebes. THan bryght phebus paſſedPhebus in Aryete was the Ram Myd of Aprell & in to the Bo le cam And Satourne olde. withSaturnus in Virgine his froſty face In Virgyne. taken had his place Melencolyke. and ſlouth of mocyo • And was alſo. in thoppoſycyon Of Lucyna the mone. moyſte and paleJupiter in capitecācri That many ſhoure. fro heuen made auale whan Aurora. was in the morow red And Jupyter. in the Crabbes hed Hath take his paleys. and his manſyon The luſty tyme. and Joly freſſhe ſeaſon whan that Flora. the noble myghty quene The ſoyll hath clad. in newe tender grene with her floures. craftely meynte Branche & bough. with red & whyte depeynte Fle • yng the baume. on hylles and on vales The tyme in ſoth. whan Canterbury tales Complet and tolde. at many ſondry ſtage Of eſtates. in the pylgrymage Eueryche man. lyke to his degree Some of deſporte. ſome of moralyte Some of knyghthode. loue and gentylleſſe And ſome alſo. of parfyte holyneſſe And ſome alſo. in ſothe of Rybaudrye To make laughter. in the companye Eche admytted. for none wolde other greue Lyke as the Loke. the Myller and the ReueThe Loke Myller & ye Reue Aquyte hemſelfe. ſhortly to conclude Boyſtouſly in her termes rude whan they hadden. well dronken of the bolle And eke alſo. with his pylled nolle The Pardoner. beerdles all his chynPardoner Glaly eyes. and face of Lherubyn Tellyng a tale. to angre with the Frere As openly. the ſtory can you lere worde by worde. with euery circūſtaunce Echone I wryte. and put in remembraunce By hym that was. yf I ſhall not fayneLhaw • er Floure of Poe • es. thorugh out of all Bretayne whiche ſothly had. mooſt of excellence In Rethoryke. and in eloquence Rede his makyng. who lyst the trouthe fynde whiche neuer ſhall. appallen in my mynde But alwaye freſſhe. ben in myn memorye To whome be yeue. pryſe honour and glorye Of well ſayeng. fyrſte in oure langage Lhyfe regyſtrer. in this pylgrymage All that was • olde. forgetyng nought at all Fayned tales. nor thyng hyſtoryall with many prouerbes. dyuerſe and vncouthe By reherſayle. of his ſugred mouth Of eche thynge. kepynge in ſubſtaunce The ſentence hole. withoute varyaunce Voydynge the chaff. ſothly for to ſayn Enlumynynge. the trew pyked grayn By crafty wrytyng. of his ſawes ſwete Fro the tyme. that they dyde mete Fyrſte the pylgrymes. ſothly euerychon Atte the Tabard. aſſembled one by oon And fro Sothwerke. ſothly for to ſeyeAtte the • a bard in ſou thwerke To Lanterbury. rydynge on her weye Tellyng a tale. as I reherſe can Lych as the hooſt. aſſygned euery man Noon ſoo hardy. his byddynge dyſobeyeThe Ooſt And this whyle. that the pylgrymes leye Atte Lanterbury. well logged one and alle I not in ſoth. what I may it calle Hap or fortune. in concluſyon That me befelle. to entre in to the toun The holy Saynt playnly to vyſyte After my ſykeneſſe. vowes to acquyte In a Lope of blake. and not of greneThe diſcri uynge of ye monke &c. On a palfray. Sclender. longe and lene with Ruſty brydell. made not for the Sale My man toforne. with a voyde male That of fortune. toke myne ynne anoon where the pylgrimes. were logged euerychon The ſame tyme. her gouernour the Ooſt Scondynge in halle. full of wynde and booſt Lyche to a man. wounder ſterne and fers whiche ſpake to me. and ſayd anone dan persThe wordis of ye oſt to ye monke Dan domynyk. dan Godfray or Llement Ye be welcome. newly in to kent Though your brydell. haue nother boos ne bell Beſechynge you. that ye wyll tell Fyrſte of youre name. and what coūtre withoute more. ſhortly that ye be That loke ſo pale. all deuoyde of blode Vpon youre hede. a wonder thredbare hode well arrayed. for to ryde late I anſwerde my name. was LydgateLydgate monke of Burye Monke of Burye. nye fyfty yere of age Lome to this towne. to do my pylgrymage As I haue hyght. I haue there of noo ſhame Dan Johan qd he. well brouke ye your nameThe wordis of ye oſt Though ye be ſooll. byth right glad and lyght Prayeng you to ſuppe. with vs this nyght And ye ſhall haue made. at your deuys A grete poddynge. or a rounde hagys A fraunche moyſe. a tanſe or a Froyſe To ben a monke. ſclender is your coyſe ye haue ben ſyke. I dare myne hede aſſure Or lette fede. in a faynt paſture Lyfte vp your hede. be glad take noo ſorowe And ye ſhold home ryde. with vs to morowe

Pars prima ¶ Here begynneth the Story of the deſtruccyon of the Lyte of Thebes SIrs quod I. ſyth of your curteſye I entred am. in to your cōpanye And admytted. a tale for to telle By hym that hath. power to compelle I mene oure Oſt. gouernour & guyde Of you echone rydynge. here beſyde Though that my wytt. bareyn be & dulle I wyll reherſe. a ſtory wounderfulle Towchynge the Syege of deſtruccyon Of worthy Thebes. the myghty royall toun Bylte and begonne. of olde antyquyte Vpon the tyme. of worthy Joſue By dylygence. of kynge Amphyon Lheef cauſe fyrſte. of his foundacyon For whiche his fame. whiche neuer ſhall awaye In honour floureth. yet vnto this daye And in ſtory remembred. is and preyſed But how the walles. were on heyght reyſed It is wonder. and meruayle for to here But yf ye lyſte. I ſhall you platly lere The maner hole platly in ſentence Vnder ſupporte. of your pacyence As wryte myn auctour. & Bochas bothe two Rede her bookes. and ye ſhall fynde it ſo Eueryche conclude. lyche as his fantaſye And thus full ofte. gendred is enuye In folkes hertes. of ſoleynce and pryde For ſuche as lyſte not. ones to loke aſyde To rewarde hem. whan they lowe lou • e And agayne kynde. it is oute of doute That ony hede. by recorde of the wyſeHow ye poure peple ſupportē & be ren vp ye ſtate of a k • g Sholde the fote of dyſdayne deſpyſe whiche bereth hym vp. who ſoo can take hede And ſuſteyneth. in his mooſt nede As his pyler. and his ſuppoayle For fynally. ne were the porayle Her berer vp. and ſupportacyon Fare well lordſhyp. and denomynacyon Thorugh oute the londe. of euery hygh eſtate wherfore me ſemeth. more is fortunate Of Marcurye. the ſwete ſugred harpe Than Mars ſwerde. whettyd kene and ſharpe More accepted. with aſpectes good Than is this god. with his lokes woodNota What the goodlihede of a prynce auaileth to wyne ye her • is of his peple For humble ſpeche. with glad contenaūce Maye a prynce. ſhortly auaūce Among his people. hertes for to wynne Of Inwarde loue. whiche wyll not twyne Than golde. rycheſſe. pryde or tyrannye Other dyſdayne. daungere or ſurquedye Or of lordes. clerkes can reporte But that loue. her crowne doo ſupporte The fyne is not. in concluſyonEnſample of kyng ā phyon I take recorde. of kyng Amphyon That bylte Thebes. by his eloquence More than of pryde. or of vyolence Noble and ryche. that lyke was nowhere none And thus the walles. made of lyme and ſtone were reyſed fyrſte. by ſyngynges of this kyng Lyke as poetes feynen. in her wrytyng But ſothly yet. ſome expoſytoursHow after thopynyon of ſom auc tours Cad mꝰ bylded fyrſt ye cyte of Thebes Groundyng hem. vpon olde auctours Sayen that Cadmus. the famous olde man Full longe afore. the Cytee fyrſte began And the grounde. of byldyng ſette And the bondes. by compas oute mette with thong oute kerue of a bolys ſyde whiche enuyron. ſtretche myght wyde To gette in londe. a full large ſpaceHow the cō tre of boece toke fyrſte his name of a bolyſkyn & aftir callid The bes How kyng cadmꝰ was exyled oute of Thebes by the ꝓweſſe of kyng Amphyon where vpon to bylde. a dwellyng place And called was. the ſoyle thus getten yn whylom Boece. of the bolys ſkyn The name after. in to Thebes tourned But Cadmus. hath not there longe ſoiourned Lyke in ſtory. as it is compyled For ſhortly. he fro thennes was exyled Neuer after. for to dwell in the town By the knyghthode. of this Amphyon whiche vp perfourmeth. ryche for the nones The Cytee Thebes. of myghty ſquare ſtones As I you tolde. a lyte here to forne And Cadmus thus. his kyngdom hath lorne Sceptre and crowne. and his power royall Now haue I tolde. vnto you grounde of all That ye well knowe. by Informacyon Clerely the pyth. and thexpoſycyon Of this mater. as clerkes can you tell It were but vayne. lenger for to dwell To tarye you on this mater Syth my tale. whiche that ye ſhall here Vpon oure waye. wyll laſte a longe whyle The ſpace in ſothe. as I ſuppoſe of an myle And now ye knowe. fyrſte how Amphyon Bylte and began this Cyte and this town Regnyng there. longe after as I rede Of hym nomore. for I wyll procedeHow the ly • e of aphy on by ducet was cō • ey e • vnto k • ge Layus To my purpos. that I fyrſte began Not tellyng here. how the lyne ran Fro kyng to kyng. by ſucceſſyon Conueyeng doun. by the ſtoke of Amphyon Ceryouſly by lyne. all the dyſcente But leue all this. playnly of entente To telle forth. in bokes as I rede How Layus. by proceſſe gan ſuccede To bere the crowne. in this myghty londe Holdyng the ſcepture. of Thebes in his hondekyng Layꝰ & • ocaſta his wyfe Manly and wyſe. duryng all his lyfe And Jocaſta. called was his wyfe Full womanly. the ſtory ſayth certeyn For a tyme. though ſhe were bareyn Tyll layus. in full humble wyſe To haue a childe. dyde ſacrefyce Fyrſte to Appollo. in his chare ſoo bryghte And Jubyter. that hath ſoo grete a myghte Beſechynge hem. with deuoute reuerence To graunte oonly. through her influence That his requeſt. executed maye be And ſpecyally. to goddeſſes thre He beſoughte. Pallas and Juno And Dyane. for to helpe alſo That he be not defrauded. of his boone And his prayer accepted. was full ſoone That fynally. thorugh his rytes olde Euen lyke. as his herte wolde The quene Jocaſta. hath anone conceyued whiche whan the kynge. fully hath perceyued He made in haſte. hym lyſte not to abyde Thorugh his kyngdome. meſſengers ryde Fro cooſt to cooſt. the ſtory can deuyſe For dyuyners. and philoſophers wyſe For ſuche as werne. famous phyſycyens And well experte. Aſtronomyens To come in haſte. vnto his preſence To fynde oute. ſhortly in ſentence By crafte oonly. of calculacyonHow the aſtronomyēs & the phyloſophers of thebes calked out the fayt of edippus The childes fate. and dyſpoſycyon And therupon. to yeue a Jugemente The rote I take. atte aſcendente Trewly ſought oute. by mynute and degree The ſelfe houre. of his natyuytee Not for yet. the heuenly manſyons Clerely ſerched. by ſmale fraccyons Fyrſte by ſecondes. teers. and eke quartes On angrym ſtones. and on whyte cartes I preued oute. by dylygente laboure In tables correcte. deuoyde of all erroure Juſtly ſought. and founde oute of bothe two The yeres collecte. and expanſe alſo Conſydred eke. by good inſpeccyon Euery houre. and conſtellacyon And eche aſpecte. and loke eke dyuers whiche were good. and whiche alſo peruers where they were towarde. or at debate Happy welfull▪ or infortunate And fynally. in concluſyonNota the curſed cōſtella cōn & indiſ • oſi cōn of heuē in ye nat •• y te of edippꝰ Nota How ye face of edyppus dyſpoſed yt he ſhold ſle his owne fader They founde Saturne. in the Scorpyon Heuy chered. malencolyke and lothe And wood Mars furyous and wrothe Holdynge his ſepture. in the Caprycorne The ſame houre. whan this childe was borne Venus dyrecte. and contraryous And depreſſyd in Marcuryus hous That the dome. and Jugemente fynall Of thees clerkes. to ſpeke in ſpecyall By fatall ſorte. that may not be withdrawe That with his ſwerde. his fader ſhall be ſlawe There maye no man. helpe it nor excuſe On whiche thynge. the kynge gan ſore muſe And caſte he wolde. on that other ſyde Agayne her dome. for hymſelfe prouyde Shape awaye. and remedye toforn Byddyng the quene. whan the childe were born withoute mercy. or moderly pyte That he be dede. it maye none other be And in all haſte. lyke as he hath ſente She obeyed. his commaundemente with wofull herte. and pyteous loke And face pale. her yonge ſone ſhe toke Tendre and grene. bothe of fleſſhe and bones To certayne men. ordeyned for the nones Fro poynte to poynte. in all maner thynge To execute. the byddynge of the kynge They durſte not. delaye it nor abyde But to a foreſte. that ſtode ferre beſyde They toke her waye. and faſt gan hem ſpede The kynges wyll. to perfourme in dede Hauynge therof. paſſynge heuyneſſe But whan that. they behelde the fayreneſſe Of the childe. and excellente beaute In her herte. they hadde grete pyte And playnly caſte. amonge hem was no ſtryfe That the childe. ſholde haue his lyfe And anone. full hyghe vpon a tree In a place. that noo man myghte ſee They henge hym vp. the ſtory can reherſe But fyrſte his fete. thorugh they gan to perſe And on bowes tender. towgh and ſmale They knette hym vp this noo tale Hym to preſerue. fro beſtes wylde and rage And after that. taken her vyage Towarde Thebes. in all the haſte they maye But of fortune. thylken ſame daye with her houndes. ſerchynge vp and down The hunters wente. of kynge polybon Through the foreſte. game for to fynde Some aforne. and ſome come behynde And gan ſerche. and ſeke wounder ſore Amonge the hylles. and the holtes hore And as the reenge. the trenches by and byhow the hū ters of kynge polybon fonde ye childe in ye foreſte & preſent hym vnto the kynge They harde a noyſe. and a pyteous cry Of this childe. hangynge on this tree And all atrones. drowe it for to ſee And lefte not. tyll they haue hym founde And toke hym downe. and his feet vnbounde And bare hym home. vnto polybon Lrynge of Archadye. the famous regyon And whan that he. fyrſte the chylde gan ſee Of his woundes. he hadde grete pytee To beholde. his tender fete blede And called hym. Edyppus as I rede whiche is to ſeyn. platly this noo phage Bored the fete. as in that langage And fyrſte the kynge. in his royall halle Made his men. a nouryce for to calle This yonge childe. to fuſter and to kepe with her mylke. that he nought wepe And his leches. he charged eke alſo Tyll he were hoole. her deuoure for to do Fully in purpoſe. for the childe was fayre After his daye. to make hym his heyre For cauſe oonly. who ſoo taketh hede Sone hadde he none. by lyne to ſuccede And where that he hadde. a wyfe or none I fynde not. and therfore let it gone But by proceſſe. of dayes and of yeres This Edyppus. amonge his playeng feres was in his porte. paſſynge full of pryde That none. with hym myghte in peas abyde I herte he. was ſoo inly ſurquidous Malencolyke. and contraryous Full of deſpyte. and hygh dyſdayne That no wyght durſt. ſhortly hym with ſayne Tyll on a daye. he gan with one debate To whome he hadde. ſpecyally grete hate whiche of rancoure. and of haſty tene As he that myghte. his pryde not ſuſtene Gan vpon hym. truely abrayde And vnto hym. felly thus he ſayde wherto quod he▪ arte thou ſoo proude of porte Lontrarye euer alſo in oure dyſporte Frowarde and felle. laſtynge euer mone As thou were lorde. of vs euerychone And preſumeſte. fully in worchynge Lyke as thou were ſone vnto the kynge And deſcended. of his royall blood But where ſoo be. thou be wrothe or wood Thou arte nothynge. and thou lyſte take hede Apperteynynge. vnto his kynrede But in a foreſte. founden and vnknowe whan thou were yonge. the▪ fore bere the lowe And vtterly. remembre yf the lyſte Thy byrthe and blood. are both twoo vnwyſte This is the fyne. ſhortly of my tale wherwith Edyppus. gan to waxe pale And chaunge alſo. chere and coūtenance And gan a poynte. in his remembrance worde by worde. and feyned righte noughte And felly to muſe. in his owne thoughte And caſte he wolde. withoute more taryenge The trouthe enquere. of Polybon the kynge And whan he ſawe. oportune ſpace And the kynge. in ſyker place He hym beſoughte. lowly on his knee To his requeſte. benygnely to ſee And that he wolde. playnly and not ſpare Of his byrthe. the trewe trouthe declare And make hym ſure. of this thynge anone Yf he were his verray ſone or none And Polybon. oonly of gentylneſſe whan he behelde. the grete heuyneſſe Of Edyppus. and the wofull payne He gan dyſſymule. and in maner fayne Lyke as he hadde be. verrely his heyre But more and more. he falleth in dyſpeyre And downe on knees. efte ayen gan falle Hym coniurynge. by the goodes alle To telle trouthe. and noo thynge to hyde Affermynge eke he wolde not abyde Lenger with hym. but ryden and enquere Tyll tyme he maye. the verray ſothe here In ony parte. of happe or of fortune And for that he. was ſoo importune In his deſyre. the kynge withoute abode Leryouſly▪ tolde how it ſtode In a foreſte fyrſte. how he was founde Vpon a tree. by the feet I bounde And how he caſte. in concluſyon To make hym kynge. of that regyon After his daye. ſhortely for to telle But Edyppus. wyll noo lenger dwelle But to ke leue. and in haſte gan ryde To a temple. faſte there beſyde Of appollo. in ſtory as it is tolde whoos ſtatu. ſtode in a chare of golde On wheles foure. burned bryghte and ſhene And within. a ſpyryte full vnclene By fraude oonly. and falſe colluſyon And anſwere gafe. to euery queſtyon Bryngynge the people. in full grete erroure Suche as to hym. dyden falſe honoure By ryghtes vſed. in the olde dawes After cuſtome. of paganymes lawes And Edyppus. with full humble chere To Appollo. made his prayere Beſechynge hym. on his knees bowe By ſome ſygne. that he myghte knowe Thorugh euydence. ſhortly comprehendeth Of what kynrede. he was deſcendeth And whan Edyppus. by grete deuocyon Fynyſſhed hathe. fully his oryſon He founde anone. wymmen Inuyſyble with a voyſe. dredfull and horryble Bade hym in haſte. taken his vyage Towarde Thebes. wherof his lynage He heren ſhall. and be certefyed And on his waye. anone he hathe hym hyed By haſty Journaye. & ſo his horſe conſtreyned Daye by daye. tyll he hathe atteyned Vnto a caſtell. Pylotes I called Ryche and ſtronge. and well aboute walled Adiacente. by ſyght of the countree And perteynente. to Thebes the cytee Lrynge Layus. beynge there preſente For to holde. a manere tornemente with his knyghtes. yonge and curyous And other folke. that were deſyrous To preue hemſelfe. ſhortely for to telle who by force. other myghte excelle Or gette a name. thorugh his hye proweſſe Eche of hem. dyde his beſyneſſe On horſe backe. and alſo eke on fote All be that ſome founde all vnſote Rather applye. of werre than of pees where Edyppus. putte hymſelfe in prees As he that was ay redy to debate Enforſynge hym. to entren in atte gate Maugre all tho. that hym wolde lette And in the prees. of auenture how he metteHow edyppus ſlough his fad a •• a caſtell Lrynge Layus. and cruelly hym ſlowe Though the ſtory. wrytte not the maner howe Ne noo wyghte. can of all the companye By noo ſygne. verely eſpye By whos hande. that the kynge was ſlawe For Edyppus in haſte gan. hym withdrawe And kepte hym coye. of entencyon Grete was the noyſe. and the pyteous ſoun In the caſtell. for ſlaughter of the kynge Dooll and complaynte. ſorow and wepynge But for they ſee. heuyneſſe and thoughte Agaynſte dethe. vayleth lytell or noughte They ordeyne. with Rytes full royall For the feſte. called funerall And lyke the cuſtome. of the dayes olde The cors they brente. in to aſſhes colde And in a veſſell. rounde made as a balle They cloſed hem. in golde and in metalle And after that dyde hyr beſy cure An Thebes. to make a ſepulture And rychely. hem lyſte noo lenger lette The aſſhen dyde they. encloſe and ſhette Of this mater. there is noo more to ſeyne But to Edyppus. I wyll tourne ayene whiche hym enhaſteth ay fro daye to daye Towerde Thebes. in all that euer he maye Brennynge in herte. hote as ony fyre The fyne to knowe. of his fatall deſyre But for that he fayled. of a guyde Oute of his waye. he wente fer beſyde Thorugh a wyloe. and a waſte countreeHow edyppꝰ went by ye hylle where ye mōſtre lay yt called was ſpynx By a montayne that ſtode vpon the ſee where that monſtres. of many dyuerſe kynde were conuerſante. in ſtory as I fynde Amonge whiche. ſothly there was one Soo Inly cruell. that noo man durſte gone For drede of dethe. forthe by that paſſage This monſtre. was ſoo mortall in his rageThe deſ •• cōn of yt fou le monſtre whiche hadde alſo. by deſcrypcyon Body and feet. of a fers lyon And lyke a mayde. in ſothe was hede and face Fell of his his loke. and cruell to manace And odyous. of contenaunce and of ſyghte And as I rede. Spynx this monſtre hyghte worſe than Tygre. Dragon or Serpente And I ſuppoſe. by enchauntemente He was ordeyned. on the hylle to abyde To ſlewe all tho. that paſſeden beſyde And ſpecyally. all that dyde fayle To expowne. his myſty dyuynayle His probleme eke. in wordes playne and bare withoute a myſſe. openly declare Or with the lyfe. he myghte not eſcape This is berray ſothe. platly and noo Jape And yf that he. by declaracyon Gaaf there vpon. clere expoſycyon He ſholde in haſte. there was none other meane Slee this monſtre. for all his cruell teane There may of mercy. be none other graunte But for all this. Edyppus ignoraunte This dredfull hylle. ſtandynge on a Roche Or he was ware. full nye gan aproche More perlous platly. then he wende And ſodeynly the monſtre gan deſcende To ſtoppen his waye. and letten his paſſage Thus abraydynge. with a fell corage I haue in herte. Inly grete dyſporte That fortune hathe broughte the. to my ſorte To make a preſte. yf thou mayſte endure The fatall ende of this auenture Sette atte a fyne. ſothely by dayes olde And by and by. all the caas hym tolde Chargynge hym. to be well ware and wyſe Gette the palme. and bere awaye the pryſe Thouchynge this thyng. ſet atwene vs twey • with lyfe or deth. whiche we ſhall dareyn And this monſtre. with a deſpytous chere His probleme. gan thus. as ye ſhall here There is a beeſt. merueylous to ſeeOf the probleme that ſpynx putt to edyppus The whiche in ſothe. atte his natyuytee Is of his myghte. ſoo tender and ſoo grene That he maye not. hymſelfe ſuſtene Vpon his fete. though he hadde it ſworne But yf that he be. of his moder borne And afterwarde. by proceſſe of age On foure feet. he maketh his paſſage After one. thre. yf I ſhall not fayne And alderlaſte. he gooth vpryghte ontwayne Dyuerſe of porte. and wonderfull of cheres Tyll by lengthe. of many ſondry yeres Naturelly. he gooth ayen on three And ſyth on foure. it may none other bee And fynally. this is the trouth playne He retorneth. kyndely agayne To the mater. whiche that he came fro Loo here is. all my probleme doo Muſe here vpon. withouten werre or ſtry • e It to declare. or elles leſe thy lyfe And whan Edyppus. gan this thynge aduerte well aſſured. in his manly herte Gan in his wytte. ſerchen vp and downe And of prudence. caſte in his reaſone By grete auyſe. what this thynge maye be Seenge alſo. that he maye not fle And how there was. counſeyll none nor rede But telle trouth. or elles to be dede And by full goode delyberacyon Thus he anſwered. in concluſyon Thou Spynx quod he. fals and fraudulente Thou fowle monſtre. thou dragon yu ſerpente That in this hylle. lyche as I conceyue Lyeſte in a whayte. folkes to deceyue But truſte well. for all thy ſleyghty wytte Thy falſe fraude. ſhall anone by quyte Me lyſte not now. whyſper nether rowne But thy probleme. anone I ſhall expowne Soo openly. thou ſhalte not goo ther fro Loo thus it is. take good hede ther to Thylke beſte. thou ſpake of her beforneHow edyppus expow ned ye ꝓbleme yt ſpynx put to hym Is euery man. in this worlde borne whiche maye not gon. his lymmes be ſoo ſofte But as his moder. beryth hym a lofte In her armes. whan he dooth crye or wepe And after that. he gynneth for to crepe On foure fete. in his tender youthe By experyence. as it is ofte couthe A forne I rekened. his handes bothe two And by proceſſe. thou mayſte conſyder alſo with his twoo fete. for all thy felle tene He hath a ſtaff. hymſelfe to ſuſtene And than he gooth. ſhortly vpon three And alderlaſte. as it muſte nedes be Voydynge his ſtaff. he walketh vpon tweyne Tyll it ſoo be. thorugh age he atteyne That luſte of youthe. waſted be and ſpente Than in his honde. he taketh a potente And on thre fete. thus he gooth agayne And I dare afferme. yu mayſt it not withſayne And ſoone after. thorugh his vnweldy myght By influence. of natures ryght By experyence. as euery man maye knowe Lyche a childe. on foure. he • repeth alowe And for he maye. here noo whyle ſoiourne To erthe agayne. he muſte in haſte retourne whiche he come fro. he maye it not renue For in this worlde. noman maye eſchewe This verraye ſothe. ſhortly and noo doughte whan the whele of kynde. comyth aboughte And naturelly. hath his cours ronne By cyrcuyte. as dooth the ſhene ſonne That man and childe. of hye and lowe eſtate It gayneth not. to make more debate His tyme ſette. that he muſte fyne whan Antropos. of malyce dooth vntwyne His lyues • hred. by Cloto fyrſte compowned Loo here thy probleme. fully is expowned Atte oure metynge. as I toke on honde To the lawe. that thou muſte nedes ſtonde And in all haſte. of myne hondes deye But of reaſon. thou can it ought with ſeye And ſoo this ſpynx. a wapyd and amate Stode dyſamayed. and dyſconſolate with chere done caſte. muyte pale and dede And Edyppus. anone ſmote of the hede Of this fende. ſtynkynge and vnſw • te And the countree. ſette holy in quyete wherby he hathe. ſuche a pryſe I wonne That his fame. is euery coſte yronne Thorugh all the londe. yt he the monſtre hathe ſlawe And lyne righte. to Thebes he gan drawe well receyued. for his worthyneſſe For his manhode. and his righte proueſſe And for they ſee. he was a ſemely knyghte well fauoured. in euery mannys ſyghte And ſawe alſo. Thebes the myghty towne Not oonly they. but all the regyone werne deſtytute. of a gouernoure Avens her foon. hauynge noo ſocoure Hem to defende. but the quene allone Amonge hemſelfe. makynge full grete mone For there was none. as bookes ſpecyfye The Septure or crowne. for to occupye For whiche the lordes. all by one aſſente▪ within the towne. ſette a parlyamente Shortly concludynge. yf it myghte bene Prudently to treate. with the quene Namely they that. helde hemſelfe mooſt ſage To condyſcende by waye of maryage She to be Joyned. to this manly knyght Paſſynge prudente. and famous eke of myght Mooſt lykely man. as they can dyſcexne The worthy Cyte. to kepen and gouerne And thorugh counſeyll. of the lordes alle To her deſyre. playnly ſhe is falle And corded. withoute more taryeng That of Thebes. Edyppus ſhall be kyng By full aſſente. was none that ſayd naye And tyme ſette. agayne a certayne daye Amonge hemſelfe. and fynaly dyuyſed The weddynge was in Thebes ſolempnyſed Full ryally. with nedes mooſt vnthryne Oonly for he is. moder toke tho wyne Vn • yst of bothe. he was of her blode And Ignoraunte. ſhortly how it ſtode That he tofore. hadde his fader ſlawe For whiche this weddyng. was agayn the lawe And to • ore god. is nother fayre ne good Nor acceptable. blood to touche blood whiche cauſe hathe be. of grete confuſy •• In many londe. and many Regyon Grounde and rote. of vnhap and meſchaunce The fyne concludynge. alwaye in vengaunce As men haue ſeen. by clere experyence And holy wryte. recordeth in ſentence How herodes. falſly in his lyfe Vyolence. toke his brothers wyfe For ſhe was fayre. and pleaſaunte to his ſyght And kepte her ſtyll. by force thorugh his myght All be to her. tytle hadde he noon And for her ſake. the holy man ſaynt Johon For his trouthe. in pryſon loſte his hede Therfore I rede. euery man take hede where ſoo he be. prynce lorde or kynge That he be ware. to eſchewe ſuche weddynge Or that the ſwerde. of vengaunce of manace Leſte he leſe happe. fortune and grace Takynge enſample. in all maner thynge Of Edyppus. in Thebes crowned kynge All be that he wroughte of ignoraūce Full derke and blynde. of his wofull chaūce And yf vnwyſte. he of Innocence As ye haue herde. fylle in ſuche offence For whiche he was punyſſhed and brought low what ar they worthy that her errour know And fro the knotte. lyſte not to abſtene Of ſuche ſponſayle. to god and man vnclene I can not ſeen. nomore therof deuyſe Demeth youre ſelfe. that prudente ben & wyſe And Edyppus. haue amonge in mynde Of whom the weddyng. lyke as ye may fynde Vnhappy was. and paſſynge odyous Infortuned. and vngracyous I am wery. and therof more to wryte The hatfull proceſſe. alſo to endyte I paſſe ouer. fully of entente For Imynens. was not there preſente Nor Lucyna. lyſte not therto ſhyne Ne there was none. of the muſys nyne Of oure accorde. for to make melodye For they ſonge not. by heuenly Armonye Nother Clyo. nor Calyope One of the ſuſtren. in nombre thryes thre And they dyde. whan Phylogye Aſcended vp hye. aboue the ſkye To be wedded. this lady vertuous Vnto her lorde. the god Marcuryus As Marcyan I named. de Capelle In his booke of weddynge. can you telle There concludynge. in this maryage The Poete. that whylom was ſoo ſage That this lady. called Sapyence I wedded was. vnto Eloquence As it ſat well. by heuenly purueaunce Hem to be Joyned. by knotte of alyaunce But bothe twoo. ſothly of entente Atte weddynge. in Thebes were aſſente That cauſed after. grete aduerſyte For fynall ende. of that ſolempnyte was ſorowe. and woo and deſtruccyon Vter ruyne. of this royall toun There may noo man. helpe it ne ſocoure For a tyme in Joye. though they floure But atte weddynge. platly for to telleThe infortunat follr yt were atte edippꝰ weddyng. Cerberꝰ herebz Noye with her iii doughters drede fraude Trecherye treſon poū te Indygence nede dethe & cruell Mars was Cerberus cheef porter of helle And herebus. fader to hatrede was there preſente. with his hole kynrede His wyfe alſo. with her browes blake And her doughter. ſorowe for to make Hydous chered. and vggely for to ſee Megera. and Theſyphonee Allecto eke. with laboure and enuye Drede and Fraude. and falſe Trecherye Treſon Pouerte. Indygence and Nede And cruell Dethe. in his rente wede wretchedneſſe. complaynte and eke rage Ferfull pale. derkenes croked age Cruell Mars. as ony tygre wood Brennynge yre. of vnkynde blood Fraternall hate. depe ſette the rote Saaf oonly dethe. that there nas noo bote Aſſured othes. atte fyne vntreweAll thiſe vnthryfty people were at ye weddyng of Edyppꝰ & Jocaſta Alle theſe folke. were atte this weddynge newe To make the towne. deſolate and bare As the ſtory. after ſhall declare But ay in Thebes. with his walles ſtronge Edyppus regnyth. many daye and longe And as myne auctoure wryte. in wordes playne By Jocaſta. he hadde ſones twayne Ethyocles. and alſo Polymyte And in bookys. as ſoundry clerkes wryte Doughters twoo. full goodly on to ſee Of the whiche. one hyghte Antygonce And that other. called was I meyne Off hir beaute. inly ſouereyne Edyppus ay deuoyde. of werre and ſtryfe with Jocaſta. ladde a mery lyfe Tyll fortune. or his iniquyte Hadde enuye. of his proſperyte For whan he ſhone. mooſt riche in his renoune Fro her whele. ſhe plonged hym adoune Oute of his Joye. in to ſondayne woo As ſhe is wonte. frowardly to doo And namely hem. that ſetten her affyaunce On erthly truſte. in her varyaunce For whan this kynge. paſſyng of grete myghte Sate with the quene. vpon a certeyne nyghte Caſuelly whan his folke echone Oute of his chambre. ſodeynly were gone Or he was ware. Jocaſta gan beholde The carectes of his woundes olde Vpon his feet. enprented woundes depe Tournynge her face. braſt oute for to wepe Soo ſecretly. he myghte it not aſpye And ſhe anone. felle in to a fantaſye Ay on this thynge. muſynge more and more And in her bedde. gan to ſygh ſore And whan the kynge. conceyued her dyſtreſſe He gan enquere. of her heuyneſſe Fully the cauſe. and occaſyon For he wolde wyte. in concluſyon what her eyleth. and why ſhe ferde ſoo My lord quod ſhe. withoute wordes moo Parcelle cauſe. of this ſodeyne rage Is for I in my tender age Hadde a lorde. I named Layus Lrynge of this towne. a man right vertuous By whome I hadde a ſone. wonder fayre Lykely to haue ben his. ſucceſſour and heyre But by cauſe. his dyuynours tolde Atte his byrthe. ſothly that he ſholde Yf he haue lyfe. by fatall deſtenye Slee his fader. it myghte none other be For whiche the kynge. his face to eſchue Badde me in haſte. as hym thoughte due To ſlee the childe. and haue therof noo routhe And I anone badde. withoute ſlouthe To certayne men. vpon payne of Jugemente To excecute. the commaundemente Of the kynge. as I gaaf hem in charge And forthe they gone. to a foreſte large Adiacente to this countree Percen they his feet. and hangynge on a tree Not perfourmynge. the execucyon On hym they. hadde ſuche compaſſyon Lefte hym there. and home reſorte agayne Beynge in doubte. and in none certayne Atte her repayre. as they tolde alle Of this childe. what afterwarde is befalle Saaf they ſayde. hunters haue hym founde whiche lad hym forthe. and his feet vnbounde But to what coste. they coude not declare whiche percell is of. myne euell fare Grounde and cauſe. of myne heuy chere Consydered eke. the woundes that appere Vpon youre feet. and wote not what they mene And one thynge is. ay atte myne herte grene My lorde alas. but of newe date Lrynge Layus. ſlayne was but late Atte a castell. nye by this countree Vpon youre comynge. in to this Cytee Alle this I wayed. and rekened in to one Makynge myne herte. heuy as ony ſtone Soo that I can counſeyle. none ne rede And with yt worde. the kynge lyfte vp his hede And abarayed. with ſharpe ſyghes ſmerte And all this thynge. by ordre gan aduerte Ceryouſly. by good aduyſemente And by ſygnes. clere and euydente Conceyueth well. and ſore gan repente It was hymſelfe. that Jocaſta mente And whan ye quene. in maner ſawe hym playne By her goddes. ſhe gan hym to conſtrayne To ſhewen oute. the cauſe of his affraye And it expowne. and make noo delaye Croppe and rote. ſhortly why that he Entred fyrſte. in to that countre Fro when he came. and fro what regyo • But he her putte in deluſyon As he hadde done it. for the nones Tyll atte laſte. he brake oute attones Vnto the quene. and gan a proceſſe make Fyrſte how he was. in the foreſte take wounded the feet. and ſoo forthe euery thynge Of his ſerchynge. how Polybon the kynge And hole the cauſe. why he hym forſoke And in what wyſe. he the waye toke Towarde Thebes. as Appollo badde And of fortune. how he was ladde where that Spynx. kepte the mountayne And how that he ſlowe▪ alſo in certayne Lrynge Layus atte caſtell gate Towardes nyghte. whan it was full late And to Thebes. than he gan hym ſpede To fynde oute. the ſtok of his kynrede whiche vnto hym. gan wexe couthe For by proceſſe. of his grene youthe He founde oute well. by rekenynge of his lyfe That ſhe was bothe. his moder and his wyfe Soo that all nyght. and ſuyng on the morowe Atte twene hem twoo. gan a newe ſorowe whiche vnto me. were tedyous to telle For therupon. yf I ſholde dwelle A longe ſpace. it wolde occupyeTragedia ſenecede Edyppo rege thebax But ye maye reden. in a Tragedye Of morall Senek. and fully his endynge His dooll. his myſcheef and his compleynynge How with ſorowe. and vnweldy age This Edyppus. fylle in to dotage Loste his wytte. and his worldely delyte And how his ſones. hadde hym in dyſpyte And of dyſdayne. toke of hym noo kepe And bookes ſayen. his eyen oute he wepte And as myne auctour. lyketh to deuyſe As his ſones. rebuke hym and deſpyſe Vpon a daye. in a certayne place Oute of his hede. his eyen he gan oute race And caſte at hem. he gan none other bote And of malyce. they tradde hem vnder fote Fully deuoyde. bothe of loue and drede And whan Edyppꝰ. for myſcheef was thꝰ dede withinne a pytte. made in the erthe lowe Of cruelte. his ſones haue hym throwe werre than ſerpente. or ony tygre wood Of curſed ſtok. cometh vnkynde blood As in ſtory. ye maye reden here to forne All by the Roſe. growe oute of a thorne Thus of Edyppus. whan he was blynd & olde The wretched ende. I haue yon playnly tolde For whiche ſhortly. to man and childe I rede To be well ware. and take hedeNota How euery man ought of dewte to do reuerēce to fad er & moder. or ellis the wylfull vengaunce therof Of kyndly righte. and conſcyence To doo honoure. and due Reuerence To fader and moder. of what eſtate they be Or certaynly ellis. they ſholde neuer thee For whoo that is. not to hem debonayre In ſpeche in porte. for to treate hem fayre Hem to obeye. in honeſte and drede And to cheryſſhe. of what they hadde nede I dare afferme. exceptynge none eſtate That he ſhall fyrſte. be infortunate In all his werke. bothe in ſee and londe And of what thynge. he taketh on honde Fortune frowarde. and to hym contrayre waſte of his good. playnly and appayre Fynde plente. of contek warre and ſtryfe Vnhappy ende. and ſhortyenes of lyfe And graceles of. what he hathe to do Hatrede of god. and of man alſo Therfore noo man. be here of recheles But make youre myrroure. of Ethyocles And his brother. called Polymyte whiche in ſuche thynge. gretely weve to wyte As ye ſhall here. of hem how it fylle And whan we be deſcended doune this hylle And I paſſed here. the lowe vale I ſhall begynne. the remenante of my tale ¶ Explicit prima pars iſtius Codicilli.

¶ Inmediate ſequitur ſecunda pars eiuſdem. PAſſyd ye thorpe. of boughton on the blee By my childern. I gan anone to ſee Thrugh ye ſonne. yt full clere gan ſhyne Of the clok. that it drowe to nyne And ſawe alſo. the ſyluer dropes ſhene Of the dewe. lyche perles on the grene Vapoured vp. in to the ayre a lofte whan zepherus. with his blowynge ſofte The weder made luſty. ſmothe and fayre And righte attempred. was the holſome ayre The ſame houre. all the hole route Of the pylgrymes. rydynge Rounde aboute In my tale. whan I gan procede Reherſynge forthe. as it was in dede whan Edyppus. buryed was and graue How his ſones. the kyngdome for to haue Amonge hemſelfe. by full of mortall hate For the crowne. gonne to debate whiche of hem. Juſtely ſhall ſuccede And the ſepture. of the towne poſſede Aduertynge not. nother to righte ne wronge But eche of hem. to make her partye ſtronge And his quarell. proudly to ſuſtene From whoos hertes. was deuoyded clene Of bretherhode. the faythfull alyaunce Falſe couetyſe. ſoo made hem at dyſtaunce Fully worchynge. in to deſtruccyon And ruyne of this noble town Soo hote brente. the hatred enuye of bothe twoo. thorugh pompous ſurquedye That neyther wolde. playnly in a poynte Other forborne. they ſtode in ſuche deſioynte How as they hadde. of byrthe be foreyns Tyll of the towne. the noble Cytezeyns Lmyghtes barons. with many worthy lorde Shope awaye to make hem of accorde And to ſette hem. in quyete and in pes But for his parte. this Ethyocles Alledge gan. that he was fyrſte borne For whiche of reaſon. he oughte goo to forne In the cytee. to be crowned kyngeThe cōtrauercy of the twoo bretheren Sythe by lawe. there was noo lettynge For vnto hym. longeth the heryſage By deſcende. and by tytle of age But Polymyte. of full hye dyſdayne All openly. gan replye agayne And for his parte. ſayde in ſpecyall Reaſon was none. that he ſholde haue all Regalye. and domynacyon And the lorſhyppe. hole of the toun And he righte noughte. oute of the Cyte Lyue in exyle. and in pouerte Full concludynge. withoute fere or drede Rather than it ſuffre. he wyll be dede And thus alas. thorugh her enuyous ſtryfe Atte ende eueryche loſte his lyfe Atte grete myſcheef. as ye ſhall after here But thylke tyme. the lordes all I fere Full beſely dyde. her dylygence By grete auyſe. of full hyghe prudence To ſetten hem in quyete and in reſte Coūſeylynge hem. playnly for the beſte To leue her ſtryfe. of wyſdome and reaſon A condeſcende. to ſome concluſyon whiche to bothe myghte. mooſt auayle That fynally thorugh. her gouernayle The lordes all. beynge tho preſente They haue hem broughte. to be of one aſſente Of one herte. as brother vnto brother Eueryche of hem. to regoen after otherThe cōuen cyon of the twoo bretheren yere by yere as it come aboute Soo that the towne. ſhall abſente hym oute Fully that yere. and hymſelfe guye By his manhode. and his chyualrye Haunte hymſelfe. in dedes marcyall whyle his brother. in his ſee royall Holdeth his ſepture. the Cytee to gouerne And whan the yere. his cours hath ronne yerne And is come oute. he ſhall haue repeyre To regne in Thebes. lyke as lorde and heyre Therto receyue. fully his dygnyte whyle that the other. voydeth the Cyte Pacyently takynge. his aduenture Tyll he agayne. his honoure maye recure Thus entrechange. euery yere they ſhall That one aſcendeth. that other hath a fall They muſte obeye. of herte and take it wele Lyche as the tourne. reſorteth of the whele For this was. hole the compoſycyonThe wordes of the compoſicyon By twene the brethern. and conuencyon Full knytte vp. by grete auyſemente Therfore the goddes. by othe of ſacramente Neuer after to grutche. ne to varye But accomplyſſhen. ſhortly and not tarye Lyche as ye accorde. enrolled in the towne Fro poynte to poynte. made mencyone But alder fyrſte. by reaſon of his age Ethyocles. hadde thauantage To regne aforne. to were a crowne Polymyte haſtynge hym oute of towne Durynge that yere. it maye none other bee Whyle his brother. ſate in his royall ſee Full rychely. vpon fortunes whele And rode hym forthe. armed bryghte in ſtele This Polymyte. ſothly as I rede Hymſelfe allone. on a Royall ſtede Withoute guyde. all the longe daye Beynge aferde. to kepe the hyghe waye In his herte. hauynge ſuſpecyon To his brother. of malyce and treſon Leſt he purſued. through his fals vnkynd blood To haue hym dede. for couetyſe of good That he allone. myghte haue poſſeſſyone Durynge his lyfe. fully of the towne For whiche in haſte. hauynge noo felawe Polymyte aſyde gan hym drawe By a foreſte. Joynynge to the ſee Linowyng right nought. ye ſyght of the coūtree Full of hylles. and of hye mountayns Craggy roches. and but few playns Wounder dredfull. and lothſome of paſſage And therwith all. full of beſtes rage Holdynge his waye. of herte noo thynge lyghte Mate and wery. tyll it drowe to nyghte And all the daye. beholdynge enuyrone He neyther ſawe. caſtell towre ne towne The whiche thynge. greuyd hym full ſore And ſodeynly. the ſee began to rore Wynde and tempeſte. hydouſly to aryſe The reyne doune bete. in full gryſly wyſe That man and beſte. therof was adradde And nye for fere. gan to waxe madde As it ſemed. by the wofull ſowns And Tygres Beres. Bores and Lyons Whiche for refute. hemſelfe for to ſaue Eueryche in haſte. drowe vnto his caue But Polymyte. in this tempeſte huge Alas the whyle. he fyndeth noo refuge Nor hym to ſhronde. ſawe noo where no ſocour Tyll it was paſſed. almooſt mydnyghte hour The cloude voyde. in heuen dyde appere A large ſpace. that the ſterres clere Soo that this knyghte. oute of a foreſte largeHow Poly myte came in to ye londe of Arge Gan approchen. to the londe of Arge Seenge a paleys myghty of byldynge Of whiche Adraſtus. called was the kynge A manly man. riche and wounder ſage And ronne was. ſomdele in to age Borne of the yle. that called is Clyſon And whylom ſone. of the kynge Chalon And for his wytte. in ſtory as is couthe He choſen was. in his tender youthe Of all Arge. to be crowned kynge Chyfe of all grece. by recorde of wrytynge Nor by dyſcente. ne ſucceſſyon But all oonly. of free eleccyon Beholde of Arge. the ſepture in his honde As mooſt worthy. of all Grekes londe Loued and drad. for wyſdome and Juſtyce And as the ſtory playnly can deuyſe This worthy kynge. hadde doughtres two Paſſynge fayre. and righte good alſo It were to longe. her beaute to dyſcryue And the eldeſte. called was ArgyueArgyue dei phyle & Adraſtus Deiphyle. I named the ſeconde And Adraſtus. lyche as it is fonde This worthy kynge. hadde ſone none To ſuccede. after he be gone For whiche he was durynge. all his lyfe Tryſte in herte. and paſſynge penſyfe But hole his truſte. and his hope ſtode By alyaunce. of ſome worthy blode Brought in by meane. of his doughters twayn That he ſhall be. releſſed of his payn Thorugh recomforte. of ſome hye maryage And ſothly yet. full hye in his corage He troubled was. by occaſyonThe dreme of adraſtus of a bore & of a lyon Of a ſweuen. and a vyſyon Shewed to hym. vpon a certeyne nyghte For as hym thoughte. in his inwarde ſyghte Whyle he ſlepte. by clere inſpeccyon A wylde bore. and a ferce lyon Poſſede ſhall. the beſtes in her rage His doughters twoo. by bonde of maryage In ſhorte tyme. within a certayne daye whiche broughte his herte. in full grete affraye But thynge in ſouthe. that deſtyne hathe ſhaꝑe Here in this worlde. full harde it is teſcape Eke merueylous. a man teſchue his fate And Polymyte. of whome I ſpake late With the tempeſte. bete and all bereyned By grace oonly. the cytee hathe atteyned Where Adraſtus. full ſtatly of degree Thylke tyme. helde his Royall ſee The trouble nyghte. myrke and full obſcure Hathe broughte this knyght. oonly by auenture Through the cytee. encloſed with a wall Vnto the paleys. chyffe and pryncypall Where as the kynge. in his chambre alofte Laye in his bedde. and ſlepte wounder ſofte Eke all his folke. hadde her chambres cake Lyke as fortune. peraunter hadde ſhape The ſelfe tyme. by cauſe it was ſoo late And caſuelly. noo porter atte gate As it hadde be righte. for the nones And in a porche. bylte of ſquare ſtones Full myghtly. enarched enuyrowne Where the domes. and the plees of the towne Were execute. and lawes of the kynge And there this knyght. without more taryenge wery and mate. fro his ſtede a lyght Hangynge the reyn. in all the haſte he myght Vpon his arme. ſurer hym to kepe And layde hym doune. and gan anone to ſlepe As hym ſemed. that tyme for the beſte And whyle he laye. thus for to reſte Of auenture. there come a knyghte rydynge The worthyeſt. in the worlde lyuynge Curteys lowly. and righte vertuous As ſayth my auctour. called Tydyus Eureus in armes. and manly in werkynge Of his byrthe. ſone vnto the kynge Of Calydonye. a londe of grete renowne And he alas. oute of that regyowne E • yled was. for he his brother ſlow As Scace of Thebes. wryte the maner how All be that he to hym. noo malyce mente For on a daye. as they on hoūtynge wente In a foreſte. for herte and for hynde Soo as he ſtode. vnder a grene lynde And caſuelly. lette his arowe ſlyppe He ſlow his brother. called menalyppe Thrugh mortall ſorte. his honde was begyled For whiche he was. banyſſhed and exyled As the lawe. narowe ſette his charge And for this caas. he came fyrſte to Arge In to the porche. where Polymyte ſlepe Of auenture. or he toke ony kepe The ſame nyghte. hydouſly beſaen with the tempeſte. of thonder wynde and rayn And fylle alſo. anoye and grete domage Thrugh the foreſte. holdynge his paſſage As Polymyte. hadde done beforne In perell ofte lykely. to be lorne with beſtes rage. ſette on euery ſyde Tyll of grace. withoute ony guyde He rode thrugh Arge. the grete myghty towne Streyte to the paleys. and the chefe doūgone Lyche as I tolde. where Polymyte laye And atte his comynge. made a grete afraye For he was blynd. thorugh derkneſſe of ye nyght And hym to guyde. he founde noo lyght whan he came in. of pryket ne of torche Tyll he vnwarly. entred the porche And wolde haue taken there. his herbygage But Polymyte. ſterte vp in a rage Sodeynly awaked. as I rede with the nyghynge. of his proude ſtede And fyrſte of all. whan that he behelde A knyghte armyd. vpon his breſte a ſhelde And gan the maner. of his araye aduerte Of verraye yre. vpon his horſe he ſterte And cruelly. gan tydynge enquere whennes he came. or what he dyde there And badde in haſte. his anſwere to deuyſe And Tydeus. in full humble wyſe Anſwered agayne. of verray gentylneſſe And ſayde in ſothe. that of hygh dyſtreſſe Of the tempeſte. and the derke nyghte He dryuen was. lyke an arrante knyghte Of nede oonly. and of neceſſyte And hye conſtreynte. of his aduerſyte Take lodgynge. where ſoo that he myghte And in that courte. therfore he a lyghte withoute more. thynkynge none outerage Nor to noo wyghte. menynge noo domage Than Polymyte. of malyce and hye pryde Tolde hym ſhortly. he ſholde not abyde Noo lenger there. though he hadde it ſworne For I quod he. toke it vp beforne And wyll it kepe. durynge all this nyghte I ſay the platly. maugre all thy myghte Quod Tydeus. that is noo curteſye Me to deuoyde. but rather vylonye Yf ye take hede. that ſeme a gentyll knyghte And I ſuppoſe. ye haue noo tytle of ryghte To this lodgynge. by waye of herytage More than haue I. for all youre felle rage And parde. yet ſhall it be noo dyſeſe Tyll to morow. that doo me eſe Of gentyleſſe. oonly by youre leue To ſuffre me. it ſhall lytyll greue But ay the more. Tydeus ſpake fayre Polymyte. was frowarde and contrayre And ſhortly ſayd. it geyneth not to ſtryue That of force. he ſhall deuoyde blyue Or vtterly bytwene hem bothe twoo This thynge to trye. he muſt haue a doo And Tydeus ſeeng noo better mene Full lyke a knyght. in ſtele armed clene withoute abode. faſte gam hym ſpede wounder lyghtly. for to take his ſtede And thus. theſe knyghtes pompous and elate For lytyll cauſe. fellen atte debate And as they ranne togyder on horſe bakeHow Tydeus & Polymyte ſtro fe for her lodgyng Eueryche on other. fyrſte her ſpere brake And after that. full ſurquydous of pryde with ſharpe ſwerdes. they togyder ryde Full yrouſly. theſe myghty champyons In her furye. lyke Tygres or Lyons As they hurtle. that all the paleys ſhoke And kyng Adraſtus. oute of ſlepe woke And made in haſte. his chamberleyns call And thrugh the courte. his worthy knyghtis all Commaundyng hem. to deſcende and ſe And reporte what it myght be This wounder noyſe. in his courte be nyght And whā they ſawe. two ſtrange knyght fyght In plates bryght. and in thyk mayle withoute Juge. they hadde grete meruayle And dyſamayed. of this vncouthe thyng As they founde. tolde they to the kyng And Adraſtus. for derkeneſſe of the nygh • Fro his chambre. with many torches lyght In to the courte. is deſcended downe All his mayne. ſtondynge enuyrowne Of theſe knyghtes. hauyng full grete wounder And of manhode. he putte hem fyrſt aſounder Hem commaundyng. lyke a gentyll kyng To leue her ſtryte. and ceſen of her fyghtyng And entred in. with a knyghtly loke And fyrſt from hem. her ſwerdes both he toke Affermyng eke. as to his fantaſye It was a rage. and a grete folye Soo wylfully. her lyues to in parte withoute Juge. her quarell to departe And ſpecyally. in the derke nyght whan neyther of other. myght haue a ſyght Chargyng hem. on payne of her lyfe To deſure and ſtynten of of her ſtryfe And Tydeus. in all the haſte he myght Full humbly. fro his ſtede a lyght And right mekely. with chere and contenaūce Putte hym hole in the gouernaūce Of Adraſtus. in all maner thyng And Polymyte. made eke noo taryeng To a lyght alſo. and wolde it not withſeye The kynges byddyng. lowly to obeye Soo as hym ought. with due reuerence And as they ſtode. both in his preſence He gan enquere. fyrſte of her eſtate The cauſe alſo. why they where atte debate Of her countrees ſothly. and her age He aſked eke. touchyng her lynage By dyſcente of what. ſtok they were borne And Tydeus. his anſwere gaaf toforne Tolde playnly. made noo leſyng How that he was. ſone to the kyng Of Calydonye. and rightfull heyre therto And of thexyle. the ſoth he tolde alſo As ye haue herde. in the ſtory radde And Polymyte. with chere and face ſadde Vnto the kyng. touchyng his countree Sayde he was borne. in Thebes the Cytee And Jocaſta. the grete famons quene His moder was. withouten ony wene But of his fader. whylom kyng and lorde For verraye ſhame. he ſpake not a worde Oonly for he. yf I ſholde not fayne His fader was. and brother bothe twayne The whiche in ſouth. he was full lothe to telle And eke the kyng. wolde hym not compelle Of gentylleſſe. but badde withoute blame Of his byrthe. for to haue noo ſhame For hole the caas. and maner euery dele Touchyng his kyn. ye groūde he knew full well Lyche as it was. by full clere reporte Enforſyng hym. for to doo comforte with all his myght. and his beſy payne This manly kyng. to theſe knyghtes twayne And to hem ſayd. aforne hym as they ſtode He wyſt well. that of worthy blode They were deſcended. touchyng her kynrede And made his offycers. in haſte to lede The ſtrange knyghtes beynge atte debate Thrugh his paleys. to chambres of eſtate Eche by hymſelfe. for to take his eaſe And euery thyng in ſouth yt myght hem pleaſe was offred hem. lyche to her eſtates And whan they weren. dyſeuered of her plates Cuſſhewes grenes. and her ſabatous Her harneys voyded. and her habargous Twayn mantels. vnto hem were brought Fret with perle. and ryche ſtones wrought Of clothe of golde. and veluett cremeſyne Full rychely furred. with armyne To wrappe hem in. agayn the colde morowe After the rage. of her nyghtes ſorowe To take her reſte. tyll the ſonne aryſe And than the kyng. in full prudente wyſe Fyrſte of all. was nothyng recheles The knyghtes hertes. to • etten in pees That euer after. I dare aferme it well Eche was to other. as trewe as ony ſtele Durynge her lyfe. bothe in werke and dede Vnder a knotte. bounden of bretherhede And Adraſtus. the worthy kyng famous A feſte made. riche and plenteuous To theſe knyghtis. & hymſelf there at preſente And after mete. full goodly he hath ſente This noble kyng. for his doughters dere Of gentylleſſe. for to make hem chere To the knyghtes. Icome fro ſoo fer And lyke in ſothe. as Lucyfer the ſter Gladdeth the morow. atte his vpryſyng Soo the ladyes. atte her incomyng with the ſtremes. of her eyen clere Goodly apporte. and womanly manere Contenaunce. and excellent fayreneſſe To all the courte. broughten in gladneſſe For the freſſheneſſe. of her heuenly cheres Soo agreable was. to the ſtrangers Atte her entre. that in ſpecyall Hem thought it lyke. a thynge celeſtyall Enhaſtyng hem. in full knyghtly wyſe Agaynſt hem. goodly to aryſe And as they mette. with humble contenaunce Full connyngly. dyde her obſeruaunce Hem conueyeng to her ſyttyng place But ſothly. I haue leyſer none ne ſpace To reherſe. and putte in remembraunce Hole the maner. of her dalyaunce I • were to longe. for you to abyde But well I wote. that the god Cupyde By influence. of his myghty honde And the feruence. of his fyry bronde Her metyng fyrſte. fortuned hath ſoo well That his arowe. of golde and not of ſtele I perced haue the. knyghtes hertes twayne Thrugh the breeſte. with ſuche a luſty payne That there abode. ſharpe as ſpere or launce Depe I fyxed. the poynte of remembraunce whiche maye not lyghtly. raſed ben a waye And thus in Joye. they dryuen forth the waye In play and reuell. for the knyghtes ſake And towardes nyght. they her chambres toke Atte due tyme. as her fader badde And on her way. the knyghtes haue hem ladde Reuerently. vp by many a ſteyre Takyng leue. gan anone repayre To her lodgyng. in a full ſtatly toure Aſſygned to hem. by the herberyoure And after ſpyces. playnly and the wyne In cuppes grete. wrought of golde fyne withoute taryeng. to bedde ſtreyte they gone Touchyng her reſt. where they ſlepte or none Demeth ye louers. that in ſuche maner thyng By experyence. haue fully knowlechyng For it is not. declared in my boke But as I fynde. the kyng all nyght woke Thought full in herte. the ſtory ſpecyfyes Muſyng ſore. and full of fantaſyes Fyrſte aduertyng. the grete worthyneſſe Of theſe knyghtes. and the ſemlyneſſe Her luſty youthe. her force and her manhode And how they weren comen. of Royall blode All this he gan to reuolue aboute Ay in his herte. hauyng a maner doubte Bytwene twoo. hangyng in a balaunce whether he ſholde maken alyaunce Bytwene his doughters. & the knyghtis twayn For one thyng. ay his herte gan conſtrayn The remembraunce of his auyſyon Of whiche. therfore I made menſyon Touchyng the lyon. and the wylde bore It nedeth not. to reherſe it more Castyng alwaye. in his fantaſye what it myght. clerely ſygnyfye This derke dreme. this was hydde and cloſe But on the morowe. Adraſtus vp aroſe And to the temple. the right waye he toke And gan praye deuoutly on his boke To the goddes. his dreme to ſpecyfye And they hym badde. homewarde for to hye And to beholde. in the knyghtes ſheldes The fell beſtes. peynted of the feldes whiche ſhall to hym. by clere inſpeccyon Full playnly. make declaracyon Of his dreme. that he had in the nyght And Adraſtus. enhaſted hym full ryght In her ſheldes. hangynge vpon hokes The beſtes rage. with her mortall hokes And to purpoſe. lyke as wryte Bochas Polymyte. full ſtrayte enbraced was In the hyde of a fers lyon And Tydeus. abouen his haberyon Agypon hadde. •• dous ſharpe and hore wrought of the bryſtles. of a wylde bore The whiche beſtes. as the ſtory leres were wrought and bete. vpon her baners Dyſplayed brode. whan they ſholde fyght wherof the kynge. whan he hadde a ſyght Atte his repayre. in herte was full gladde with a face full demure and ſadde with his lordes. that he aboute hym hadde To the temple. he theſe knyghtes ladde And whan they hadde. with all circumſtaūces Of rytes olde. done her obſeruaūces Home to the courte. they reſorte agayn And in a hall. riche and well beſayn This worthy kyng. of herte lyberall Made a feſte. ſolempne and Royall whiche in deyntes. ſuerly dyde excelle But it were veyn. euery cours to telle Her ſtrange ſewes. and her ſotyltees Ne how they. ſat lyke to her degrees Fer lak of tyme. I lette it ouerſlyde And after mete. Adraſtus toke aſyde▪ The knyghtes twoo. and lyke a prudente man In secrete wyſe. thus his tale he gan SIrs quod he. I doughte it noughtVerba Regis Adraſtus ad Polimitem et Tydeū That it is freſſhe. & grene ay in your thought How that fyrſt. by goodis ordynaūce And after nexte. thrugh fates purueaūce And by workynge. of fortu •• s honde How yt ye werne. fyrſt brought in to this londe Bothe tweyne. but now this laſte nyghte Of wos comynge. I am full gladde & lyghte Fyrſte in my ſelfe. ſhortly to expreſſe whan I conſyder. and ſee the lyklyneſſe Of youre perſones. with the circumſtaunces And hole the maner. of your gouernaunces Seeynge full well. wherto ſholde I fayne ye lykely be. here after to attayne The grete eſtate. of habondaunce of good Thrugh youre byrthe. and your Royall blood ye maye not fayle. but ye haue wronge For ye are bothe manly. and ryghte ſtronge And for to ſette. youre hertes at more reſte My purpoſe is. I hope for the beſte Soo that in you. be noo varyaunce To make a knot. and by alyaunce A twixe you and my doughters two yf youre hertes. accorden wyll therto And for. I am fully in dyſpeyre To succede. for to haue an heyre Therfore ye ſhall haue. poſſeſſyon Durynge my lyfe. of halfe this regyon Forth with in honde. and hole after my daye There is noman. that therto ſhall ſaye naye And ſothly after. whan I am graue Eche of you. ſhall his parte haue Of this kyngdome. as I haue prouyded This to ſeen. it ſhall be deuyded Bytwene you twoo. eueryche to be crowned youre purpartyes. by equyte compowned Soo egally. in euery mannys ſyghte That eche of you. reioyſe ſhall his ryghte And by youre wytte. ye ſhall the londe amende And of manhode. knyghtly it defende Agayne oure enemyes. and oure mortall foon And for the dayes. paſſed ben and goon Of my deſyres. and my luſty youthe I am full ſette. for to make couthe That ye ſholde haue. lyke myne opynyon The gouernaunce of this regyon To this entente. me ſemyth for the beſte ye to gouerne. and I to lyue in reſte Fully to fulfylle. the luſte of my pleyſurs Hunte and hawke. in woodes and ryuers whan ſoo euer. therto I ſhall haue pleaſance And for to haue. none other attendance Vnto nothynge. but vnto myne eaſe For whiche ſhortly. yf it agree and pleaſe That I haue ſayde. to you that ben ſoo wyſe And ben accordynge. vnto youre auyſe Delayeth not. but in wordes playn what you ſemyth. yeue anſwere agayn ANd whan Adraſtus. had his tale fynedReſponſia a Polimite et tideo ad Regem Adraſtu Tydeus with hede. full lowe enclyned As he that was. a verry gentyll knyghte with all his power. and his full myghte Full humbly. thanked the kynge Touchynge his profre. of ſoo hygh a thynge And for his parte. ſayd he wolde aſſente Fully of herte. neuer to repente To all that euer. the kynge hath ſayde And Polymyte. was alſo well apayde In the ſtory. as it is comprehended And ſoo they be bothe. condeſcended The kynges wyll. to fulfylle in dede Fro poynte to poynte. and therupon procede where ſo euer. that they wynne or leſe And Tydeus made. his brother cheſe Of gentylleſſe. and of curteſye whiche was moost. to his fantaſye Of the ſuſtren. for to haue to wyue And he in ſouth. choſen hadde Argyue That eldeſt was. full womanly to ſe And T • deus. toke than Deyphyle Of her beaute. mooſt ſouerayn excellente And Adraſtus. thrugh out his londe hath ſente For his lordes. and his baronage To be preſente. atte maryage Of the knyghtes. and make noo lettynge And they echone. come atte his byddynge In goodly wyſe. meke and full benygne Agayne the daye. that he dyde aſſygne And thyder come. full many luſty knyghte Full well beſeen. and many lady bryghte Fro euery coſte. and many freſſhe ſquyre The ſtory it ſayth. and many comynere To beholde. the grete Royalte And the maner. of this ſolempnyte But to telle. all the circumſtaunces Of Juſtes. reuell. and of dyuerſe daunces The feſtes riche. and the gyftes grete The pryue ſyghes. and the feruente hete Of loues folke. brennynge as the glede And deuyſes. of many ſondry wede The touches ſtole. and the amerous lokes By ſtoyll crafte. layde doune lyne and hokes The Jelous folke. to trayſſen and begyle In theyr a wayte. with many ſondry wyle All this in ſouthe. deſcryuen I ne can But well I wote. the newe fame ran This meane whyle. with full ſwyfte paſſage Vnto Thebes. of this maryage And by reporte trewe. and not I fayned The ſowne therof. the eres hathe attayned Myne auctour wryte. of Ethyocles Touchyng the honoure. and the grete encres Of Polymyte. hyghly magnyfyed And how that he. newly was allyed with Adraſtus. in the londe of Arge The whiche thyng. gretly he gan to charge Dredyng inly. that this maryage Shall after tourne. in to his damage Sore muſyng. and caſtyng vp and downe The grete power. and the hye renowne Of Adraſtus. the whiche of Grekes londe Hadde all the power. ſudgett to his honde Leſte that he for Polymyte ſake wolde vpon hym. a newe werre make But yf that he. lyke to the conuencyon Atte the tyme ſette. delyuerd the toun To his brother. by bonde of bothe I ſworne By couenauntes. aſſured here byforne Yf ye remember. late as I you tolde whiche he was not. in purpos for to holde But from his heſt. caſted for to • arye And therupon lyſte noo lenger to tarye Lyche his deſyre. to ſhape remedyes And fyrſte he ſente. for his next allyes In whome he hadde. mooſt affyaunce For his lordes. that hadde gouernaunce Of his kyngdome. to come to hym anone And whan they were preſente euerychone He ſayd playnly. wenyng for the beſte That his herte. ſhall neuer lyen in reſte But in ſorowe. and in a maner drede Tyll his brother. vtterly be dede That he in Thebes. in his Royall ſete Myghte allone. regne in quyete He mente hymſelfe. ſhortly and none other Unperturbed. of Polymyte his brother And atte this counſeyll. dyucrſe of entente I fynde wrytte thre folkes were preſente Some in ſothe. that feythfull were and trewe And ſome alſo. that changen can of newe And other eke. that bytwene twayne Couertly coude vnder coloure fayne THe fyrſte ſayd. aboue all thyngThe commēdacyon of trouth Trouth ſholde longe to a kyng Of his worde. not be varyable But playne and hole. as a contre ſtable For trouth fyrſte. withoute ony wene Is chyfe pyler. that many a kyng ſuſtene In Joye and honour. for to lede his lyfeNota How trouthe is preferred • v ye book of eſdre aforne kyngis wȳ mē & wyne For trouth whylom had a prerogatyfe As of Eſdre. the book can ſpecyfye Recorde I take. of prudente Neemye That worthy kyng. for all her grete pryde with all her power. and domynacyon Hauyng rewarde. in comparyſon The trouthes myght. trouthes worthyneſſe For as Eſdre. playnly dooth expreſſe who taketh hede. in the ſame place The influence ſothly. and the grace Of trouth allone. this olde Neemye Gate hym lycence to redefye The walles newe. of JheruſalemSalamon Trouth & mercy p̄ſer uen a kyng fro all aduerſyte Chaūgene doublineſſe ſholde not be in a kynge whiche trouth is. treſoure. cheef of euery realme For Salamon wrytte. how that thynges tweyn Trouth and mercy. lynked in a cheyn Preſerue a kyng. lyke to his degree Fro all myſcheef. and aduerſytee Alas therfore. that ony doubleneſſe Varyaunce. or vnſykerneſſe Chaunge of worde. or mutabylytee Fraude or deceyte. other inſtabylyte Sholde in a kyng. haue domynacyon To cauſen after. his deſtruccyon Of kynges rede the ſtory done by rowe And ſeen how many. haue ben ouerthrowe Thrugh her falſhede. fro fortunes whele For vnto god. it pleſeth neuer a dele A kyng to be double of entente For it maye happe. that the worlde is blente Full ofte ſyth by ſleyth of her werkyng But this is the trouth. god ſeeth euery thyng Right as it is. for there maye be noo cloude Toforne his ſyght. trouth for to ſhroude It may be clypſed. and derked by dyſcente By falſe engyne lyeng in a wayte As a ſerpente. for to vndermyne But atte laſte. it wyll clerely ſhyne who that ſayth nay. ſhe we his bryght beames For it is in ſothe. of kyngdomes & of reames Is berer vp. and conſeruatryce Fro all myſcheef. and ſouthfaſte medyatryce To god aboue. who ſoo lyſte to ſee To kepe a kyng. in proſperytee On euery ſyde. as I affermely dare For whiche kyngis. and lordes be well ware youre beheſtes. Juſtly for to holde And thynke how Thebes. with his wall olde Deſtroyed was. platly this noo less For the doubleneſſe. of Ethyocles whiche his people. after ſore abought Donly for he not by counſeyll wrought Of hem that were. bothe trewe and wyſe Hym lyſte not worche. after her deuyſe But lefte trouth. and ſette his fantaſye To be gouerned. by falſe flaterye That had hym thynke. how he was a knyght And to ſhelde of force. more than of ryght Duryng his lyfe. lordſhyp of the towne And not for to leſe. his poſſeſſyon For noo bonde. ne heſtes made aforne But late his brother. blowen in a horne where that hym lyſte. or pypen in a rede This was the counſeyll. platly and the rede Of ſuche that lyſte not. to ſayen the ſouthe But falſly flater. with her wordes ſmothe And whan they had. hole her tale fayned Ethyocles. fully was enclyned who ſoo euer there atte. lawghe or wepe Lyke her counſeyll. peſſeſſyon to kepe who that ſaye nay. or grutche there agayne Hym to contrarye. he thought it was but vayne BVt in this whyle. hath the ſhene ſonneHow the ye re was comen oute yt Ethyocles regned in Thebes The. xii. ſygnes. rounde aboute ronne Syth Ethyocle. by Juſte rekenyng In Thebes was crowned lorde and kyng Holdyng the ſepture. and the dyademe That by reaſon. as wolde ſeme The tyme was full complete and the ſpace Of couenaunt. he ſholde voyde his place And Polymyte eke. his Journey make Towarde Thebes. poſſeſſyon to take Of due tytle. but yf he hadde wronge whiche thought in ſoth▪ ye yere was woūd longe Of his exyle. or it come aboute And for he hadde in herte. a maner doute Leſte in his brother. there were falſhede fonde To acquyte hymſelfe. lyke as he was bonde To Adraſtus. he gan declare his herte Beſechynge hym. this mater to aduerte And therupon. to yeue his counſeyll ſone Touchyng his right. what was beſte to done where it was. beſte to gone or to abyde Or lyke a knyght. manfully to ryde Hymſelfe allone. and make noo meſſage For the chalange. of his rightfull herytage within Thebes. eyther by peas or ſtryfe And therupon. to yeoparde his lyfe Thus was he ſette. for all his fers brother But Adraſtus ſothly. thought a nother Better was to ſende. than hymſelfe to goon Leſte he were trapped. among his mortall foon Hauyng his brother. ſuſpecte in the caſe That by fraude. or by ſome falaſe He wolde werke. to his deſtruccyon Yf he were hardy. to entren in to the towne For whiche he badde hym. prudently take hede Full concludyng. how it was more ſpede That ſome other. be to Thebes ſente To apperceyue. fully the entente Of Ethyocle. outewarde by ſome ſygne And where that he his crowne wyll reſygne For tylke yere. lyke as he made his othe And whan he knew. how his purpos goth Therupon to werke and procede Thus Adraſtus. wyſely gan hym rede And whyle they treate. vpon this materTydeus toke vpon hȳ to do ye meſſage of his brother Polymyte Tydeus with a manly chere Sayd vtterly. for his brothers ſake This meſſage. he wolde vndertake with hole tempryſe. of the embaſſyate were it wylfull. or infortunate He wyll not ſpare. what ſoo that bytyde But Adraſtus. on that other ſyde And Polymyte. in concluſyon weren contrarye. to that opynyon And ſayd ſothly. as hem thought ryght Syth that he was. ſoo well aproued knyght And deſcended. of ſoo worthy blood That they nolde. for none erthly good For all Thebes. with the rygalye Put his body. in ſuche yeopardye BUt all this thynge. auayled hē right nouzt For he wold forth. how dere yt it be bought Takyng leue. fyrſte of all the ſtates And armed hym. in mayle and ſure plates And ſhope hym forth. vpon his Journey who made ſorowe. but DeyphyleThe ſorowe of Deyphyle whā tydeꝰ went vnto Thebes with bytter teeres. dewed all her face Full ofte ſyth. ſwownyng in the place Tryſte and mornyng. in her blake wede whan ſhe ſawe. that he toke his ſtede Soo inwardly. gan encreace her mone Seeng her lorde. ſoo ryde forth allone Vpon his waye. this worthy Tydeus And in all haſte. the ſtory telleth vs He ſpede hym ſoo. makyng noo delayes That in ſpace. of a fewe dayes The hye towres of Thebes he gan ſee And entred is in to the Lytee wyſely enqueryng. where the paleys ſtode And lyke a knyght. thyder ſtreyte he rode Marked full well. in many mannes ſyght Lyche Mars hymſelfe. in ſtele armed bryght Tyll he atteyned hath. the cheef dongyon where as the kyng. helde his manſyon And thrugh the paleys with a knyghtly loke In to the halle. the right waye he toke Fro his ſtede. whan he lyght down Not aferde. but hardy as a lyon where as the kyng. with lordes a grete route In the halle. ſyttyng rounde aboute He entred in mooſt manfull of corage To execute. the fyne of this meſſage And as hym thought. conuenyente and due Full connyngly. he gan the kyng ſalue Requyryng hym of kyngly excellence In goodly wyſe. to yeue hym audyence And not dyſdayne. neyther in porte ne chere Syth he was. come as a meſſagere From Polymyte. his owne brother dere Gynnyng his tale thus. as ye ſhall here QVod he vnto youre worthyneſſeHow wyſely & howe knyghtely tydeꝰ dyde his meſſage My purpos is. bryfly to expreſſe Theffecte oonly as in ſentemente Of the meſſage. why that I am ſente It were in vayne. longe proceſſe for to make But of my mater. the verraye grounde to take In eſchuynge. of prolixyte And voyde awaye. all ſuperfluyte Syth yourſelfe. beſt ought to vnderſtonde The cauſe fully. that we haue on honde And eke conceyue. thentente of my menyng Of rightwyſneſſe. longyng to a kyng Fyrſte conſydred. yf that ye take hede whan Edyppus. the olde kyng was dede How yourſelfe. and youre brother blyue For the crowne. contagyouſly gan ſtryue As mortall foon. by full grete hatred whiche of you twoo. fyrſte ſholde ſuccede Tyll that ye weren. by meanes recouncyled The to regne. and he to be exyled Out of this towne. for a yeres ſpace And than agayne. reſorte to his place To regne as kyng. and ye to voyde oute Soo as your tourne. by proceſſe come aboute Eueryche of you. pacyently to endure The enterchaungyng. of his aduenture who were putte oute. or ſtode in his eſtate Therupon to make noo debate Lyche the conuenaunte. and conuencyon Enrolled vp. by lordes of this towne whiche of reaſon maye. not be denyed And ſythe ye haue. a yere I occupyed Polymyte. requyreth you of ryghtThe requeſte yt tydeus made in ye name of polimyte vnd ye tytle of ye cōuencyon To acquyte you. lyche a trewe knyght In eſchewyng. of mortall werre and ſtryte Syth ye haue hadde. a prorogatyfe As eldeſt brother. for to regne a forne And thynheth eke. how that ye are ſworne youre othe to kepe. and make noo taryeng Hole aduertyng. lyke a prudente kyng That trouth is more in comparyſon Than all the treſoure. of youre regyon More acceptable. bothe to god and man Than all ryches. that ye reken can wherfore in haſte. and let there be noo ſlouthe Ouyteth youre ſelfe. Juſtly of your trouthe Vnto your brother. auoydyng this cyte And lette hym regne. in his royalte The crowne of Thebes. a yere to occupye Than wyll all Grece. preyſe and magnyfye youre hye renowne. and maye ſaye none other But ye haue you. Juſtly to your brother This is hole theffecte. of all that I wyll ſayen Anſwere expectante. what ye lyſte ſende ayen WHan Tydeus hadde tolde his tale Ethyocles. tryſte and wonder pale His conreyte fyrſte. in maner had refrayned Dyſſymelyng. vnder coloure fayned Shewyng a chere. in maner debonayre To his entente. wounderly contrarye Inwarde in herte. wood and furyous Tournyng his face. towarde Tydeus But he gan abrayde. and atte laſte outbrake And euen thus. to hym he ſpakeI haue gret meruaylle qd tydeꝰ The āſwe re of ethyo cles I haue grete meruayle. quod he in my thought Of the meſſage. whiche thou haſt I brought That my brother. as thou haſte expowned Deſyreth ſoo in Thebes. to be crowned Hauyng rewarde. to the habondaunce The grete plente. and the ſuffyſaunce That he hath now. with the kyng of Arge That me ſemeth. that he ſholde lytell charge To haue lordſhyp. or domynacyon In the bondes. of this lytell towne Syth he regneth. ſoo freſſhely in his floures Surmountyng. all his predeceſſoures By newe encreaſe. thorugh fortunes myght wherof in herte. I am right glad and lyght Full truſtyng. yf I hadde nede To his helpe. that withoute drede Lyke a brother. than I ſholde hym fynde To mewarde. faythfully trewe and kynde Suppoſyng. playnly euermore Of this regne. he ſette but lytyll ſtore Nor caſte hym not. for ſoo ſhorte a whyle As for a yere. his brother to exyle To lyue in pouerte. and grete dyſtreſſe He wyll not ſuffre it of his grete nobleſſe It were noo token of noo brotherhede But a ſygne rather of hatrede To interrupte. of my poſſeſſyon Of this lytyll poore regyon All that he ſpake. whoo that coude aduerte Of verray ſcorne. roted in his herte As it ſemeth. the ſtory can you teche By the ſurplus. ſothly of his ſpeche He myght not. hym noo lenger refrayne But platly ſayd. as tweyne vs twayne I mene thus Polymyte and me There is noo bonde. nother ſuerte Nor fayth I made. that maye hym auayle As he claymeth. to haue the gouernayle Of this Lytee. nother yere ne daye For I ſhall lette hym ſothly yf I maye That he ſhall not. by tytle of noo bonde Reioyſe in Thebes. halfe a fote of londe Lete hym kepe. all that he hath wonne For I purpoſe. as I haue begonne To regne in Thebes. henſforthe all my lyfe Maugre all hem that there agayne ſtryfe And in deſpyte. of his frendes all Or the counseyll. that hym lyſte call Lete hym be ſure. and know this right well His manaſſyng. I drede neuer a dele And ſykerly. as to myne auyſe It ſheweth well. that thou were not wyſe But ſupprysyng. with a maner rage To take on the. this ſurquydous meſſage And preſume. to done ſoo hye offence Soo boldly to ſpeke in my preſence But all I fere. auayle ſhall ryght nought For the tydynges. that thou, haſte brought Shall vnto hym. be but dyſencrees He better were. to hauen in pees Than of folye. and preſumpcyon Agaynſt me. to ſeke occaſyon For whyle I leue. and therto here myne honde As I ſayd erſte. he wynneth here noo londe For fynally. I doo the to vnderſtonde whyle the walle. of this towne maye ſtonde That they ſhall fyrſte. be bete down full lowe And all the toures. to the erthe I throwe Or he in Thebes. haue ony thyng to doo Loo here is all. retourne and ſaye hym ſoo Whan Tydeus ſawe. the feruente yre Of the kyng. with anger ſette a fyre Full of dyſpyte. and malencolye Conceyuyng eke. the grete felonye In his apporte. lyke as he were wood This worthy knyght. a lytyll whyle ſtood Sadde and demure. or he wolde ought ſeyn But atte laſte. thus he ſpake ageyn Lerteys quod he. I conceyue of neweThe knyghtely anſwere of tydeus ayen to ye kyng Aboute the. thy counſeyll is vntrewe I dare it ſayn. and vowen atte leſte Nor thou arte. faythfull of thy beheſte Stable of thy worde. that yu haſt ſayd toforne B • t dyſceyuable. and falſly eke forſworne And eke periure. of thyne aſſured othe But where ſoo be. that thou be leff or lothe I ſay the ſhortly. holde it for noo fage All ſhall tourne. vnto thy domage Truſte it well. and in full cruell wyſe All Grekes londe. ſhall vpon the ryſe To ben auenged. and manly to the redreſſe The grete vntrouth. and the hye falfneſſe whiche that yu haſte. agayn thy brother wrought It ſhall full dere. after this be bought And verrayly in dede. as thou ſhalte lere Lryng Adraſtus. wyll medell in this mater And all the lordes. aboute hym enuyron That bounde ben. to his ſubgeccyon Prynces Dukes. and many a noble knyght In ſuſteynyng. of thy brothers ryght Shall vpon a daye. with ſpere and ſhelde Agayns the be gadred. in a felde Lrnyghtly to proue. all by one aſſente That thou arte fals. and double of entente Of thy promyſe. atteynt and eke outrayed And leue me well. it ſhall not be delayed But in all the haſte. execute in dede Lyke thy deſerte. thou ſhalte haue thy mede For god aboue. of his ryghtwyſneſſe Suche open wronge. ſhall in haſte redreſſe And of his myght. all ſuche concluſyon Refourme agayne. and all extorſyon For this the tyne. falſhede ſhall not auayle Agayne trouth. to holde batayle wronge is croked. bothe halte and lame And here anone. in my brothers name As I that am his next allye In his quarell. I ſhortly the defye Fully auyſed. with all my hole entente And the lordes. that ben there preſente I you requyre. of your worthyneſſe To ſaye trouth. and to bere wytneſſe whan tyme cometh. Juſtly to recorde How youre kyng. falſly can dyſcorde From his heſte. of falſe varyaunce And thynke how ye. of fayth and lygaunce Arne bonde echone. ye maye not goo therfro For to obeye. and ſeruen bothe twoo This next yere. now anone folowyng As to youre lorde. and youre trewe kyng Polymyte. though he be now abſente By Juſte accorde. made in perlemente At youre deuyſe. whiche ſytten here arowe Engroſed vp as it is right well knowe And enrolled. oonly for wytneſſe In youre regeſtres. to voyden all falneſſe That none of you. varye maye of newe For that I ſaye. but yf he be vntrewe For whiche I rede. youre ſelfe to acquyte Lette noo • yme lenger you reſpyte But attones. withoute more taryeng Of manly force. fetteth home youre kyng Manger his foon. lyke as ye are bounde And lette in you. noo ſlouth be founde To putte hym Juſtly in poſſeſſyon This my counſeyll. in concluſyon As Tydeus had his meſſage ſayde Lyke to the charge. yt was on hym layde As he that lyſte. noo lenger there ſoiourne Fro the kyng. he gan his face tourne Not aſtonyed. nor in his herte aferde But full proudly. leyd his honde on his ſwerde And in deſpyte. whoo that was leff or lothf • ow tydeꝰ manly departed frō the kyng A ſterne paas. thorugh the hall he goeth Thorught out ye courte. & manly toke his ſtede And oute of Thebes. faſte gan hym ſpede Enhaſtyng hym. tylle he was att large And ſpede hym forth. toward the lond of Arge Thus leue I hym. ryde forth a whyle whyle that I retourne agayne my ſtyle Vnto the kyng. that in the hall ſtode And amonge his lordes furyous and wode In his herte wrothe. and euyll apayed Of the wordes. that Tydeus had ſayde Specyally hauyng. remembraunce On the proude. dyſpytous dyffyaunce whyles that he ſatte. in his royall ſee Vpon whiche. he wyll auenged bee Full cruelly. what euer that befalle And in his yre. he gan to hym calle Chyfe conſtable. of his chyualrye Chargyng hym faſte for to hye with all the worthy choſe. of his houſholde whiche as he knew. moſt manfull & moſt bolde In all haſte. Tydeus to ſue Toforn. or he oute of his londe renue Vpon payne of lyffe. and leſyng of her hede withoute mercy. anone that he be dede And of knyghtes. fyfty were in nombre Myne auctour ſayth. vnwarly hym tencombre Armed echone. in mayle and thyk ſtele And therwith all I horſed wounder wele Atte a poſterne. forth they gan to rydeHow falſely ethiocles layd a buſſhemete in ye valey to haue ſlayn Tydeus By agayne path. that laye oute aſyde Secretly. that noo man hem aſpye Oonly of treaſon. and felonye They haſte hem forth all the longe daye Of cruell malyce. for to ſtop his waye Thorugh a foreſte. all of one aſſente Full cowardly. to laye a buſſhemente Vnder an hylle. at a ſtrayte paſſage To falle on hym. at more auantage The ſame waye. that Tydeus gan drawe Ate thylk mounte. where Spyx was ſlawe He nothyng ware in his opynyon Of this compaſſed. conſpyracyon But Innocente. and lyke a gentyll knyght Rode ay forth. tyll it drew to nyght Sole by hymſelfe. withoute companye Hauyng noo man to wyſe hym or to guye But atte laſte. lyftyng vp his hede Towarde eue and gan take hede In mynde of his waye. right as ony lyne Thought he ſawe ayen the mone ſhyne Sheldes freſſhe. and plates bourned bryght The whiche enuyron. caſten a grete lyght Ymagynyng. in his fantaſye There was treaſon. and conſpyracye Wrought by the kyng. his Journey for to lette And of all that. he nothyng ſette But well aſſured. in his manly herteHow tydeꝰ outerayed fyfty knyghtes yt lay in a wayte for to ſlee hym Lyſte not ones. aſyde to dyuerte But kepte his waye. his ſhelde vpon his breſte And caſte his ſpere. manly in his reſte And the fyrſte platly. that he mette Thorugh the body. proudly he hym ſmette That he fell dede. chyfe mayſter of hem all And than attones. they vpon hym falle On euery parte. by compas enuyrown But Tydeus. thorugh his hye renown his blody ſwerde. let aboute hym glyde Sleeth and kylled. vpon euery ſyde In his yre. and in his mortall tene That meruayle was. he myght ſo ſuſteyne Ayen hem all. in euery halfe be ſette But his ſwerde. was ſoo ſharpe I whette That his foon. founde full vnſwette But he alas. was lyght on feete By force grounded. in full grete dyſtreſſe But of knyghthode. and of grete proweſſe Vp he roſe. maugre all his foon And as they come. he ſlewe hem one by one Lyke a lyon rampant in his rage And on this hylle. he fonde a narowe paſſage whiche that he toke. of full hye prudence And lyche a bore. ſtandyng at his defence As his foo men. proudly hym aſſayle Vpon the playne. he made her blood to rayle All enuyron. that the ſoyle waxe rede Now here now there. as they fyllen dede That laye here one. & there laye twoo or three Soo mercyles. in his fers crueltee Thylke daye he was. vpon hem founde And attones. his enmyes to confounde where as he ſtode. this myghty campyowne Beſyde he ſawe. with water tourned downe An huge ſtone. large longe and ſquare And ſodaynly. or that they were ware As it had layen there for the nones Vpon his foon. he rolled it attones That ten of hem. wenten vnto wrake And the remenaunte. amaſed drowe a bake For one by one. they wente to myſchance And fynally he brought to outrance Hem euerychone. Tydeus as blyue That none but one. left of hem a lyue Hemſelfe I hurte. and I wounded kene Thorugh his harneys. bledyng on the grene The ſlayne knyghtis. in compas roūde aboute In the vale. ſlayne all the route whiche pyteouſly. agayne the mone gape For none of theym. ſhortly myght eſcape But dede echone. as they it haue deſerued Saaf one excepte. the whiche was reſerued By Tydeus. of this entencyon To the kyng to make relacyon How his knyghtes. haue on her Journey ſped Eueryche of hem. his lyfe lefte for awed And atte metyng. how they haue hem borne To tellen. all he ſured was and ſworne To Tydeus full. lowly on his knee By whiche enſample. openly ye may ſee Agayne trouthe. falſhede hath noo myghtHow trouthe with lytell multytude hathe euer in the fyne vyctorye of falſhede Fye on quarels. not grounded vpon ryght withoute whiche. maye be noo vyctorye Therfore eche man. haue this in memorye That grete power. ſhortly to conclude Plente of good. nor moche multytude Sleyght or engeny. force or folonye Arn • to feble. to holde champartye Agayne trouth. who that lyſt take hede For atte ende. falſhede maye not ſpede To endure longe. the ſholde fynde it this Recorde I take. of worthy Tydeus whiche with his honde. thrugh tronyes excellence Fyfty knyghtes ſlewe. in his defence But one excepte. as I late tolde Sworne & aſſured. and his honde vpholde The kyng to enfourme. how they were attaynt And Tydeus of bledyng. wounder faynt Meat and wery. and in grete dyſtreſſe And ouerlayd. of verray feblyneſſe But as he myght. hymſelfe to ſuſtene He toke his horſe. ſtandyng on the grene worthed vp. and forth he gan to ryde An eaſy pace. with his woundes wyde And ſhortly yet. in his opynyon He was alwaye. aferde of treaſon But anguyſſhous. and full of beſy payne He rode hym forth. tyll he dyde attayne In to the bondes. of Lygurgus londeHow tydeꝰ all for woū ded come in to Lygurgus londe A worthy kyng. and manly of his honde And he full pale. oonly for lacke of blode Tydeus ſawe. where a caſtell ſtode Stronge and myghty. bylte vpon a roche Towarde whome. faſte he gan approche Conueyed thyder. by clereneſſe of the ſtone That by nyght. agayn the mone ſhone On the towres. with creſtes mar • yall And Joynyng. all mooſt to the wall Was a gardayne. lytyll oute beſyde In to whome. Tydeus gan to ryde Of auenture. by a gate ſmall And there he founde. for to reken all A luſty Erber. vnto his deuyſe Swete and freſſhe. lyche a paradyſe Verray heuenly. of inſpeccyon And fyrſte of all. he lyghted a doun The goodly place. whan that he behelde And from his nek. auoyded hath his ſhelde Drawe his brydell. fro his horſe hede Lete hym goon. and take noo maner hede Thrugh the gardayn. that encloſed was Hym to paſture. on the grene gras And Tydeus. more heuy than is lede Vpon the herbes. grene whyte and rede As hym thought. that tyme for the beſte He layde hym downe. for to take his reſte Of weryneſſe. deſyrous to slepe And none awayte. his body for to kepe And with dremes. grutched euer amonge There he laye. tyll the larke ſonge with notes newe. hye vpon in the hayre The glad morowe. rody and ryght fayre Phebus alſo. caſtyng vp his bemes The hye hylles. gylte with his ſtremes The ſyluer dewe. vpon the herbes rounde There Tydeus laye. vpon the grounde Atte the vpryſte. of the ſhene ſonne And ſtoundmele. his grene woundes ronne Rounde aboute. that the ſoyll depeynte Of the grene. with rede meynte And euery morow. for holſumneſſe of the heyreHow lygurgꝰ dought fonde tideꝰ ſlepyng in the erber al forwoūded Lygurgus doughter. made her repayre Of cuſtome. ay among the floures newe In the gardayne. of many dyuerſe hewe Suche Joye had. for to take hede On her ſtalkes. for to ſee hem ſprede In the alayes walkyng to and fro And whan ſhe had. a lytyll whyle go Her ſelfe allone. caſtyng vp her ſyght She behelde. where an armed knyght Laye to reſte hym. on the herbes colde And hym beſyde. ſhe gan eke beholde His myghty ſtede. walkyug here and there And ſhe anone. fell in a maner fere Specyally. whan ſhe ſawe the blode Sprad all the grene. aboute there ſhe ſtode But at laſte. ſhe caught hardyneſſe And womanly. gan her for to dreſſe Toward this knyght. hauyng a maner of drede And gan grete doute. leſt yt he were dede And of her wyll. ſoothly it was cheef That ſhe thought. for to make a preef How that it ſtode. of this man full ofte And forth ſhe gooth. & touched hym full ſofte There as he laye. with her hondes ſmale And with a face dedely. bleyke and pale Lyche as a man. dawed in a ſwone Vp he ſterte. and his ſwerde he drowe Not fully oute. but put it vp agayne▪ Anone as he hath the lady ſayne Beſechyng her. oonly of her grace To haue pyte vpon his treſpace And rewe on hym. of her womanhede For of afraye. he was falle in drede Leſte he had. aſſayled be of newe Of the Thebans. preued full vntrewe For dred of whiche he was ſoo recheles Full humbly yeldyng hym to the pees Truſte in hymſelfe. he paſſed had his boundes And whan that ſhe ſawe his mortall woundes She had routhe. of verraye gentelleſſe Of his dyſeaſe. and of his dyſtreſſe And bad he ſholde. noo thyng be dyſmayedHowe womanly yt lady acquyteth her to tydeꝰ in his dyſeaſe Nor in herte ſorowfull. nor afrayed Dyſcomforte hym. in noo maner thyng For I quod ſhe. am doughter to the kyng Called Lygurge. that gretly me delyte Euery morowe. this gardayne to vyſyte It is to me. ſoo paſſyngly dyſporte wherfore quod ſhe. byth of good comforte For noo wyght here. touchyng your vyage Shall hynder you. ne doo you noo domage And yf ye lyſte. of all youre aduenture The playne trouthe. to me dyſcure I wyll in ſouth. doo my beſyneſſe To refourme. your greuous heuyneſſe with all my myght. and myne hole dylygence That I hope. of youre grete offence ye ſhall haue helpe. in youre aduerſyte And as ferforthe. as it lyeth in me Truſteth right well. ye ſhall noo faute fynde And whan he ſawe. that he was kynge Soo womanly. ſoo goodly and ſoo benygne In all her porte. by many dyuerſe ſygne He vnto her. by order wolde not ſpare His aduentures. fully to declare In thebes fyrſte. touchyng his meſſage And all the hylle. of the wood rage Of his woundes. and hurtes ſore It were but vayn. to reherſe it more By and by. he tolde her euery dele The whiche in ſoth. ſhe lyked neuer a dele But had reuthe and compaſſyon Of his myſchyfe. wrought by falſe treaſon Byddyng in haſte. that he ſholde her ſue And womanly. as her thought due To a chambre ſhe lad hym vp a lofteHow tydeꝰ was refeſſhed in the caſtell of ye lady Full well beſayn. there in a bed right ſofte Rychely abouten apparayled with clothe of golde. all the flore I rayed Of the ſame. bothe in length and brede And fyrſte this lady. of her womanhede Her wymmen bad. as goodly as ſhe can To be attendaunte. on this wounded man And whan he was vnarmed to his ſherte She made fyrſte. waſſhe his woundes ſmerte And ſerche hem well. with dyuerſe inſtrumentis And made fette. ſondry oynementis And leches eke. the beſte that ſhe coude fynde Full craftely. to ſtaunchen hem and to bynde And euery thyng that maye doo hem eaſe To ſwage his payne. or his woo to peaſe was in the courte. and in the caſtell ſought And by her byddyng. to the chambre brought And for his ſake. ſhe hath after ſente For ſuche deyntes. as were conuenyente Mooſt nutrytyfe. by phyſykes lore Hem that were ſyke. or wounded to reſtore Makyng her wymmen. eke to taken kepe And wayte on hym. a nyghtes whan he ſlepe And be well ware. that noo thyng a ſterte That was or myght. be luſty to his herte And with all this. ſhe prayed hym to abyde Tyll he were ſtrong. and myghty for to ryde In the caſtell. to playe hym and dyſporte And at leyſer. home agayne reſorte whan he myght. bywelde hym at his large But all for nought. he wyll home to Arge Toke his leue. on the next daye withoute abode. to haſte hym on his waye Lowly thankyng. vnto her goodneſſe Of her fredome. & of her bounteous largeneſſe So wommanly. that her lyſt take hede Hym to refreſſhe. in his grete nede Behotyng her. with all his full myght He wolde be her ſeruaunte. and her knyght whyle he lyueth. of what ſhe wolde hem chargeHow tydeꝰ repayreth home to Arge alle forwoūded & ſore I hurte And forth he rode. tyll he come to Arge In full grete haſte. & wolde noo where dwelle But what ſholde I reherſen other telle Of his repayre. the coſtes or the playns The craggy roches. or the hye mountayns Or all the maner. of his home comyng Of the metyng, or of the welcomyng Nor the Joye that Adraſtus made Nor how his ſuſ • re. ne his wyfe were glad Nor how that they. where to ſholde I wryte Embraſed hym. in her armes wyte Nor the gaderyng. aboute hym ne the prece Nor the ſorowe. that Polymyte Made in hymſelf. to ſee hym ſoo ſore wounded His greuous hurtes. his ſorowes eke vnſounded His dedely loke. and his face pale Of all this. to gynne a newe tale It were in ſouth a maner ydelneſſe Nor how hymſelfe. in ordre dyde expreſſe Fyrſte how that he. in Thebes hath hym borne Nor how the kyng. falſly was forſworne Nor of the awayte. nor treaſon that he ſette whan fyfty knyghtes. on the waye hym mette As he haue herde. all the maner howe withoute whiche. my tale is longe ynowe But Adraſtus. made men to ſeche In euery coſte. for many dyuerſe leche To come in haſte. and make noo taryeng Vpon a payne. by byddyng of the kyng To done her crafte. that he were recured And of his force. in euery parte aſſured And they echone. ſoo her connynges ſhewe That in ſpace. of dayes fewe He was all hole made. of his ſykeneſſe Tho was there Joye. th • was there gladneſſe Thorugh the courte. and thorugh all the town For euery man. hath ſuche opynyon In Tydeus. for his gentylleſſe For his manhode. and his lowlyneſſe That he was holde. the mooſt famous knyght And beſte beloued. in euery mannes ſyght Thorugh oute Grece. in euery regyon But now muſte I make. a dygreſſyon To telle ſhortly. as in ſentemente Of thylke knyght. that Tydeus hath ſente In to Thebes. oonly to declare The grete myſchyfe. and the euyll fare Vnto the kyng. how it is befall The open trouthe. of his knyghtes all How Tydeus hath ſlayne hym euerychone Than ſaaf hymſelfe. there eſcaped none That were reſerued. fro ſhedyng of his blode The kyng to telle. playnly how it ſtode And whan he had. reherſed euery poynte Ethyocles ſtode. in ſuche dyſioynte Of hatfull yre. that he waxe nye wodeHow ethyocles was aſ toned whā he herde ye deth of his knyghtes And in his tene. and in his fell mode Of cruell malyce. to the knyght he ſpake And felly ſayde. that it was for lake Oonly of manhode. thorugh her cowardyſe That they were ſlayne. in ſoo mortall wyſe And hanged be he. hye by the nek That of your deth. or of your ſlaughter rek Or you complayne. other one or all Of the myſcheef. that is you befall I doo noo force. that none of you aſterte But fye vpon. youre falſe coward herte That one knyght. thrugh his hye renoune Hāth brought you. all in confuſyon Full graceles. and full vnhappy to Naye quod this knyght. it is not ſo It is thyne vnhap. playnly and not oures That ſoo many. worthy werryoures whiche all her lyfe. neuer had ſhame Excepte this quarell. taken in thyne name That grounded was. and roted in falneſſe This was cauſe. in verray ſykerneſſe Of oure vnhappe. I wote well and none other And the vntrouthe. done vnto thy brother And that thou were. ſoo openly forſworne A percell cauſe. why that we were forlorne was falſe brekyng. of thyne aſſured othe And tho the kyng. all mooſt mad for wrothe In purpoſe was. for to ſlee this knyght Oonly for he ſayde vnto hym ryght The whiche myles alas. both at eue & morowe Suppryſed was. with a dedely ſorowe Renewed ay in his remembraunce with the pyteous. and vnhappy chaunce Of the myſcheef. and myſauenture Touchyng the deth. and the dyſcomfyture Of his fers. and of hymſelfe alſo That the ſhamfaſte. importable wo Soo fratte on hym. with ſuche a mortall ſtryfe That he was wery. of his owne lyfe Hence a ſwerde. and a ſyde ſterte And roffe hymſelfe. euen to the herte The kyng hymſelfe. beyng tho preſente That the romoure. and the noyſe is wente Thrugh oute all Thebes. and the wood rage By ſuche as weren. Joyned by lynage To the knyghtes. ſlayne atte hyll That all attones. of one herte and wyll They wolde haue ryſen. thrugh out all the cyte Vpon the kyng. auenged for to be whiche of her dethe. was cheef occaſyon But the barons. and the lordes of the town Full beſy weren. this rumoue to dyſceaſe Of hye prudence. to ſtynten and appeaſe In quyete. euery thyng to ſette And after that the bodyes home they fette Of the knyghtes. lyke as ye haue herde A forne I ſlayne. with the blody ſwerde Of Tydeus. full ſharpe whette and grounde And in the felde. ſoo as they hem founde Oonly of loue. and of affeccyon Solempnely. they brought hem to the town And lyke the maner of her rightes olde They were fyrſte brente. in to aſſhes colde Eueryche I buryed. lyche to his degree Loo here kalendes of aduerſytee Sorowe vpon ſorowe. and deſtruccyon Fyrſte of the kyng. and all the regyon For lacke oonly. lyke as I you tolde That beheſtes. truely were not holde Fyrſte grounde and rote. of this ruyne As the ſtory. clerely ſhall determyne And myne tale herafter. ſhall you lere If you lyſte. the remenaunte for to here ¶ Explicit pars Secunda.

¶ Sequitur pars Tercia. O Cruell Mars. full of malencolye And of thy kynde. hote combuſt & drye As the ſpercles. ſhewen fro ſoo fer By the ſtremes. of the rede ſter In thy ſpere. as it aboute gothe what was cauſe. that thou were ſoo wrothe with hem of Thebes. thrugh whos feruent yre The Cytee brente. and was ſette a fyre As bookes olde. well reherſe konne Of cruell hate. roted and begonne And engendred. the ſtory maketh mynde Oonly of blood. corrupte and vnkynde By infeccyon. called orygynall Cauſyng a ſtryfe. dredfull and mortall Of whiche the myſcheef. thrugh all Grece ran And kyng Adraſtus. alder fyrſte began That hath hym caſte. a conqueſte for to make Vpon Thebes. for Polymytes ſake In knyghtly wyſe. there to preue his myght Of full entente. to recure his ryght And fyrſte of all. he ſette a parlyamente And hath his lettres. and meſſengers ſente Thrugh out Grece. to many ſoundry kynges Hem to enhaſte. and make noo lettynges And rounde aboute. as made is mencyon He ſente alſo. to many Regyon For prynces dukes. lordes and barons To taken vp. in cytees and in townes And cheſen out. the mooſt lyklyeſte And ſuche that waren preued for the beſte And of manhode. and ſende hem vp echone And in her honde. receyue her paye anone with Adraſtus. to Thebes for to rydeThe grete purueaūce of kyng Adraſtus towarde ye cyte of thebes And the lordes. that with hym abyde In houſholde ſtyll haue her leue take To ryden home. her retenu to make In theyr countrees. as they were of degree To ſtuffen hem. and to take vp mayne And make hem ſtrong. with knyght & ſquyres with ſperes bowes. and with arblaſtres In all the haſte poſſyble. that they maye And to retourne. in her beſte araye Atte terme ſette. full manly to be ſayen To forne Arge. mouſtren in a playn And as I rede. full worthy of degreThe kynges & prynces that come with adraſtus Thyder came fyrſte. Prothonolope The whiche was. by recorde of wrytyng Of Archada. ſone to the kyng And full prudente. fonde in werre and peas There come alſo. the kyng Cylmythenes And as I fynde. full famous of renoun Thyder come eke. the kyng Epymedon And paſſyng all. of knyghthode and of name And excellyng. by worthyneſſe of fame The noble kyng. called Campaneus Come eke to Arge. the ſtory telleth vs Proued right well. and had ryden fer And thyder come. the kyng Melleager Lryng Genor eke. that helde his royall ſete Myne auctoure ſayth. in the londe of Crete Lryng Laerys. and the kyng of Pyrrus And eke the kyng. called Tortalanus And renomed in many regyon There come the kyng. I named Polemon Ofte aſſayed and I founde. a manly knyght That with hym brought. in ſtele armed bryght Full many worthy. oute of his countree And Tydeus. mooſt knyghtly for to ſee That manly man. that noble werryoure As he that was. of worthyneſſe floure Mayſter and myrrour. by proueſſe of his honde Hath ſente alſo. in to the myghty londe Of Calydonye. wherof he was heyre That is a kyngdome. bothe riche and feyre Chargyng his counſeyll. and his offycers alſo In all the haſte. that it may be do To ſeken oute the beſte werryours Of famous knyghtes. and proued ſaudyours Thrugh all the lond. & leyd on hem this charge withoute abode. for to come to Arge And they obey ſhall. his byddyng Enhaſtyng hem. and made noo lettyng But ſped hem faſte. vpon her Journeye And from Thebes. the myghty ſtrong Cyte Come downe knygh • . with many a nother mā Mauger the kyng. to helpe what they can Conſydred fyrſte. his falſhede and treaſon I mened oonly. of trouth and of reaſon Polymytes. as they were ſworne of yore To his crowne. Juſtely to reſtore And whan they wern. at large out of the towne In to Arge they be deſcended downe And lyke her othe. and theyre aſſuraunce As they weren bounde. oonly of lygaunce To hym they came. in full lowly wyſe Redy to done. what hym lyſte to deuyſe And whan he had. her trouth full conceyued He hath to grace. goodly hem receyued Aſſygnyng hem. her place myd the ooſte Aſſembled there. fro many dyuerſe coſte That fynally. in this companye I gadred was. the floure of chyualrye I choſen oute. of all Grekes londe The mooſt knyghtly. & manfull of her honde That I trowe. ſythe the worlde began There was not ſeen. ſoo many manly man Soo well horſed. with ſpere and with ſhelde Togyder aſſembled. ſooth in a felde There men myght ſee. many ſtrange gyſes Of armyng newe. and vncouthe deuyſe Euery man after his fantaſye That yf I ſholde. in order ſpecyfye Euery pees longyng to armure And therupon. doo my beſy cure It were in ſouth. almooſt a dayes werke And the termes. ben alſo to derke To reherſe hem clerely. and to ryme I paſſe ouer. oonly for lacke of tyme And telle I wolde. forth of her lodgyng How Adraſtus. the noble worthy kyng Hath euery lorde. lyke to his degree Receyueth well. within his cytee And there they had. lyke to her pleaſaunce Of what nedeth. fulſome habondaunce For man and horſe. plente of vytayle Commaundyng. that noo thyng ne fayle That all theſe noble werreours Bothe hye and lowe. and pooer ſaudyours I ſerued were. of that they had nede For Adraſtus. prudently toke hedewhat vayleth a kyng to pay his peple truly her ſoude Full lyke a kyng. touchyng her terme daye That they to forne. were ſerued of her paye He was ſoo free. hym lyſte▪ nothyng reſtrayne And noo man. had cauſe to complayne Hunger. thurſte. nor Indygence And in a prynce. it is full grece offenceNota As clerkes ſayn. and a grece repre • e To ſuffre his people. lyuen at myſchefe It is full heuy. and greuous in her thought If he habonde. and they haue ryght nought He maye not both. poſſede good and herte He to be riche. and ſeen his people ſmerte He maye the body. of poore well conſtreyne But her herte. hath a full longe reyne Mauger his myght. to louen at large There maye noo kyng. on hertes ſette a charge Nor hem cohercen. from her lybertee Men ſeen full ofte. how that thought is free For whiche eche prynce. lorde and gouernoure And ſpecyally. euery conqueroure Lete hym beware. for all his nobleſſe That bounte fredome. plente and largeſſe By one accorde. that they his brydell lede Leſte of his people. whan he hath mooſt nede He be defrauded. whan he is but allone Than is to late. for to make his moneNota Howe loue auaylethe more a kynge thā gold or grete rycheſſe But in his courte. lete hym fyrſte deuyſe To exyle ſcarſhede and couetyſe Than is he lykly. with fredome yf he gynne Loue of his people. euermore to wynne To regne longe. in honoure and contune Ay to encreaſe. by fauoure of fortune And his enmyes. manly to oppreſſe For loue is more. than golde or grete richeſſe Golde fayleth ofte. loue wyll abyde For lyſte or deth. by a lordes ſyde And the treſoure. ſhortly of a kyng Standeth in loue. aboue all thyng Fare well lordſhyp. bothe morowe and eue Specyally. whan loue taketh his leue And who ſo lyſte. a myrrour for to make Of kyndly fredome. lete hym enſample take Of Adraſtus. the manly kyng famous Soo lyberall. ſoo bounteous Unto his people. at all tyme founde Whiche made hym ſtrong. his fomen to confoū de And loue oonly. his enmyes to werreye All grece. made his byddyng to obeye Of one accorde. knyghtly by his ſyde All attones. to Thebes for to ryde For tauenge. ſyth they were ſoo ſtrong The grete Iniurye. and the Importable wrong Done to his ſone. and to his next allye As ye to forne. haue harde me ſpecyfye But whyle Grekes. areſte a whyle in pes I wyll reſorte to EthyoclesNota with Inne Thebes. warly hath aſpyed By his frendes. as he was certefyed Of the Grekes. hole the ordynaunce Her purpos eke. and her purueaunce And therof had in herte. a maner drede And fyrſte he toke. his counſeyll and his rede Of the lordes. and of the barons of the town And of the wyſeſt. of his regyon How he myght. maken reſyſtence Manly to ſtanden. at defence To be ſtrong. that there were noo doubteHow ethyo cles made him ſtrong ayen the comyng of ye Grekes And in tho contrees. adiacente aboute And eke▪ alſo. in foreyn regyons He hath withholde. all the champyons And therupon. he ſente oute his aſpyes And his frendes. and his next allyes And all the worthy. dwellyng enuyrowne Yonge freſſhe and luſty. he gadred in to towne Maſkowede his walles. and his hye toures And ſtuffed hem. with many ſadyoures Rounde aboute. he ſette many gonnes Grete and ſmale. and ſome large as tonnes And in his haſty. paſſyng feruente hete He ſpente his treſoure. and gaf yeftes grete Unto knyghtes. and worthy men of name And euermore. to encreaſe his fame He yafe to lordes. Jewels many folde Clothes of veluette. of damaſke and of golde To gete hym hertes. ſothly as I rede To helpe hym now. in this grete nede And prudently purueyed hym to fome Of fleſſhe and fyſſhe. and of wyne and corne Sette his Capyteyns. erly and late with full ſtyfe ſtronge. at euery gate He made alſo. by werkmen that were trewe Barbycans. and bolwerkes newe Barres chaynes. and dyches wounder depe Makyng his vowe. the Cytee for to kepe whyle he lyueth. deſpyte of all his foon And by his goddes. of metall and of ſtoon Full ofte he ſwore. bothe of herte and thought That it ſhall fyrſte. full dere ben a bought And many a man. with pollax & ſwerd & knyfe To forne this towne. fyrſte ſhall leſe his lyfe And there ſhall eke. many ſydes blede Or his brother. peaſybly poſſede The towne in peas. lyke as Grekes wene But atte ende. the trouth ſhall be ſene Lete hym beware. and well to forne prouyde For Adraſtus. on that other ſyde For his parte. was not neclygente But on a daye. helde a parlyamente All his lordes. ſyttyng enuyron To dryue ſhortly. a playne concluſyon And vp thappoynte. the fyne of her entente But ſome thought. full expedyente. Of they procede. to werke by thauyſe Of one that was. full prudente and right wyſe And circumſpecte. in his werkes all A worthy byſſhop. in to age fall And called was ſothly by his nameHow ye byſſhop āphio rax was ſēt for to come to ye grekes Amphyorax. of whome the grete fame Thrugh all the londe. both eſt and ſouth Among Grekes. paſſyngly was couth A man in ſothe. of olde antyquyte And mooſt excepted. of auctoryte Fyrſte by reaſon. of his hye eſtate And eke. for he was ſoo fortunate In his werkes. and was alſo ſecree with the goddes. knowyng her pryuetee By graunte. of whome as bokes ſpecyfye He had a ſpyryte. of trewe prophecye And coude a forne. full openly dyuyne Thynges begonne. how they ſholde fyne And eke by crafte. of calculacyon Gyue a dome. of euery queſtyon And had in Magyk. grete experyence And fynde coude. by heuenly Influence And by meanyng. of hye ſterres A fynall dome. of contek and of werres And wyſt well. as his goddes toldeAnd wyſte well ye trew ꝓphecye of biſſhop amphyorax That yf Grekes. forth her Journey holde It tourne ſholde. platly this noo phage To grete myſchyfe. and to grete domage Of hem echone. and in eſpecyall The mooſt parte. of the blode royall Thrugh all Grece. it maye not be withdrawe In this vyage. ſhortly ſhall be ſlawe And yf hymſelfe. with the Grekes wente who that euer wepte. hym or by mente This was the fyne. and maye not be ſocoured Of the erthe. he ſholde be deuoured Quyke as he was. he knew none other in ſerteyne And for he ſaw. there was non̄ other geyne To ſaue his lyfe. nor noo bet defence Than vtterly. to withdrawen his preſence Prayeng his wyfe. for hym to prouyde If he were ſought. that ſhe wolde hym hyde And womanly. for to kepe hym cloſe And of trouth. councelen his purpoſe For all his truſte. touchyng his greuaunce was fully ſette. in her preuyaunce I hope to god. that he nede not drede Of noo decerte. in her womanhede She was ſoo trewe. as wȳmen ben euerychone And alſo cloſe. and muet as a ſtone That ſhe ne wolde. as the mater ſtode Dyſcuren hym. for noo wordly gode But fynally. the Grekes of entente In all his drede. haue for the byſſhop ſente Though it was long. or they myght hym fynde For cauſe his wyfe. was to hym ſoo kynde That full ſuerly. hath locked vp his cors But for ſhe had. a maner remors In her ſelfe. greuyng her conſcyenceHow yt wyt of amphyo rax of conſcience to ſa ue her othe diſcured hir huſbonde Dredyng to falle. in full grete offence Leſte her ſoule. were in perell lorne whan ſhe by othe. compelled was a ſworne There requyryng. yf ſhe coude telle where her lorde. the byſſhop ſholde dwelle whiche to dyſcure. her herte was full lothe Tyll tyme ſhe ganne. remembren on her othe And coude a trouthe of cuſtome not denye And had alſo grete conſcyence to lye wounder heuy. with a ſorowfull face Mauger her luſte. taught hem to the place where as he was. ſhytte vp in a toure All allone. hauyng noo ſocoure They fell on hym. or that he was ware And ſette hym vp. in a full riche chare A grete fole he was. to yeoparde his lyfe For to dyſcure. his counſeyll to his wyfe And yet ſhe was. full ſory for his ſake Specyally whan ſhe ſawe hym take But I hope. that her heuyneſſe Gan a ſwage. full ſone by proceſſe In ſhorte tyme. whan that he was gone There is no tempeſte. that may leſt euer in one But this byſſhop. by verray force and myght Unto Grekes. conueyed was full ryght This hore graye. in his chare ſyttyng And they full glad. were of his comyng Hauyng a truſte. and full opynyon And thorugh cauſe. and occaſyon Of his wyſdome. and his ſapyence And by vertue. of his hye preſence They ſholde eſchewe. all aduerſytee Poſſyble to falle. as in her Journee And as the ſtorye. fully hath deuyſed Full circumſpecte. and right well aduyſed He hath pronounced. in the parlyamente To forne the lordes. and the preſydente His clere conceyte. in verray ſykerneſſe Not entryked with noo doubleneſſe Her dyſmole dayes. and her fatall houres Her aduentures. and her ſharpe ſhoures The frowarde ſorte. and the vnhappy ſtoūdes The complayntes. of her dedely woūdes The wofull wrath. and the contrauerſe Of fell Mars. and his cruelte And how by meane. of his gery mode There ſhalbe ſhed. all the worthy blode Of the Grekes. it maye not be eſchewed If her purpoſe. be execute and ſewed There is noo more. this ſhall be the fyne The hye nobleſſe. ſhall drawe to declyne Of Grekes blood. in myſchyfe ſorow and wo And with all this. I myſelfe alſo As my fate. hath to forne dyſpoſed Depe in the grounde. I ſhall be encloſed And locked vp. in the derke vale Of cruell deth. loo this was the tale That the byſſhop to Adraſtus tolde Hym counſeylyng. his purpos to withholde In eſchewyng. of more myſcheef and ſorowe For all his goodes. he take vnto borowe Yf the Thebans. and the Grekes mete The fyne therof. ſhall be vnſwete That all Grece. after ſhall it rewe warnyng hym. yf they the myſcheef knewe That ſhall folowe. that noo man maye lette They wolde abſtene. a ſege for to • ette Unto Thebes. and her purpos leue with whos wordes. the lordes gan hem greue And there in had. but full ſmale delyte And euery chone. of herely hye deſpyte They abrayde. and ſayd he was vntrewe A contryuer. of prophecyes newe And eke alſo. for his long berde And olde dottarde. a cowarde and a ferde And of rancoure. gan to defye Bothe his calkyng. and his aſtronomye And ſayd ſhortly. they toke therof none hede Ne wyll no thyng. gouerne hem after his rede This was the clamoure. & noyſe in euery coſte Of hye and lowe. thorugh oute all the hoſte And ſpecyally of the ſaudyours And of lordes. regnyng in floures And of the ſtates. effectuelly I mene whiche of age. were but tender and grene That haue not had. by Martys Influence Of the werre. grete experyence Here yf ye lyſte. ye maye conſyder and ſee Of conceytes. full grete dyuerſytee How that youthe. noo peryll caſte a forne Tyll the myſchyfe. ſodeynly be borne Where as age prouydeth euery thyng Or he begynne. to caſten the endyng youthe is gouerned by a large reyneHow age & youthe ben of dyuerſe opynyons To renne forth. and can not hym refrayne But of hede. ſette on all attones As he that hurtlyth. agayn the harde ſtones Broſeth hymſelfe. vnwarly and parbraketh But age experte. noo thyng vndertaketh But to forne. of good dyſcrecyon Make a due examynacyon How it wyll tourne. other to bad or good But youthe as faſte. as ſtered is the blood Take empryſes. of haſty wylfulneſſe Joye at gynnyng. the ende is wretchedneſſe The olde prudente. in all his gouernaunce Full longe a forne. maketh purueaunce But youthe alas. by counſeyll wyll not werke For whiche full ofte. he ſtombleth in the derke Thus ſelde is ſeen. the trouth to termyne That age and youthe. drawe by one lyne And where that folye hath denomynacyon wyſdome is putte in to ſubieccyon Lyke as this byſſhop. with all his hye prudence For cauſe. he myght haue none audyence All his wyſdome. and his prophecyeHow ye wyſdom without ſuppor tacōn auay leth lytyll or nought Of the Grekes. was holden but folye For though Plato. and wyſe Socrates Morall Senek. and Dyogenes Albumazar. and prudente Tholome And Tullyus. that had ſoueraynte whylom in Rome. as of eloquence Though all theſe. ſhorly in ſentence were a lyue. mooſt connyng and experte And noo man. lyſte her counſeyll to aduerte Nor of her ſawes. for to taken hede what myght auayle. and it come to nede For where prudence. can fynde noo ſocoure And prouydence. hath noo fauoure Fare well wyſdome. fare well dyſcrecyon For lacke oonly. of ſupportacyon For vnſupported. with his lockes hore Amphyorax. ſyghen gan full ſore with hede enclyned. and many euyll thought whan yt he ſawe. his counſeyll ſtonde for nought For vtterly. the Grekes as I tolde Haue fully caſte. her Journey for to holde Made hem redy. and gonnen to hoſteye Towarde Thebes. the Cytee to werrey And forth with hem. Amphyorax they carye And in Grece. wyll noo lenger tarye Sytte in his chare. with a doolfull herte whan he wyſt. he myght not aſterte Of his fate. his dyſpoſycyon And hoſtyng. in to the regyon Of Lygurgus. Grekes gan approche A ſondy londe. with many a craggy roche But all the waye. ſothly that they gone For horſe nor man. water was there none Soo drye was the vales. and the playnes For all that yere. they hadden had noo reynes But full grete drought. as made is mencyonThe grete myſcheef yt grekes had of ye defaut of water And all the londe. ſerchyng enuyron They nother fonde. well ne ryuere Hem to refreſſhe. ne water that was clere But they alas. noo refute ne conne Soo importable. was the ſhene ſonne Soo hote on hem. in feldes where they lay That for myſcheef. man and horſe gan dey Gapyng full drye. vpward in to ſouth And ſome putten. her ſwerdes in her mouth And ſpere hedes. in ſtory as it is tolde Taſwage her thurſte. with the yron colde And of his lyfe. full many one dyſpayred In this myſcheef. and home agayne repayred Tyll on a daye. worthy Tydeus And with hym eke. the kyng Campanous Of purpos rode. thorugh oute the countree If they myght. ony water ſee From coſte to coſte. bothe fer and nere Tyll of fortune. they entred an herbere with trees ſhadowed. for the ſonne ſhene Full of herbes. and of floures grene wonder holſome. both of ſyght and hayre There Inne a lady. that paſſyngly was fayre Syttyng as tho. vnder a laure tre And in her armes. a lytyll childe had ſhe Full gracyous. of loke and of vyſage And was alſo. wounder tender of age Sone of the kyng. borne to ſuccede Called Lygurgus. in ſtory as I rede whoos hertly Joye. and worldly eke dyſporte All his myrthe. pleaſance and comforte was in this childe. of excellente fayreneſſe And this lady. myrroure of ſemlyneſſe All ſodeynly. as ſhe caſte vp her ſyght And on his ſtede. ſawe an armed knyght Gretely abaſſhed. gan anone renue But Tydeus. after gan to ſue And ſayd. ſyſter byth nothyng dyſmayed In youre ſelfe. dyſpleaſed nor affrayed For we are come. oonly to this placeHow tydeꝰ cōplayneth to the lady in the erber for water you to beſeche. of mercy and of grace Vs to ſocoure. in oure grete nede Declaryng you. how it stonde in dede Here faſte by. all mooſt at honde The worthyeſt. of all Grekes londe Lrynges prynces. ben lodgyng in the felde And many other. with pollax ſpere and ſhelde whiche in myſcheef. parell and grete drede For want of water. ben lykly to be dede For there was none. of hye ne lowe degree In all oure Doſt. now paſſed dayes three That dranke. alas excepte none eſtate Oure vyage. is soo Infortunate Prayeng you. of womanly pyte Benygnely. and gracyouſly for to ſee How of grece. all the chyualrye Of her lyues. ſtant in ieopardye That ye wolde of womanhede tell If ye knowe. ryuer ſpryng or well Specyally nowe. in all oure care Of gentyllesse. vnto vs declare Loo here is all. yf ye lyſte to here That ye wyll ſeyn. myn owne ſyſter dere And whan this lady Inly vertuousHow the lady taughte tydeus to ye well The complaynte herde. of worthy Tydeus Of verray pyte. changeth chere and hewe And in her herte. vpon her woo gan rewe And full goodely. ſeeng his dyſtreſſe Sayde vnto hym. in all his heuyneſſe Certes quod ſhe. yf I were at large Touchyng this childe. of whom I haue charge I ſholde in haſte. of all that dooth you greue To my power. helpen to releue Oonly of reuthe. and compaſſyon And leue all other occupacyon Conueye you. and be youre trewe gyde To a ryuer. but lytyll here beſyde But I dare not. ſoo moche me aſſure This lytyll childe. to putte in auenture I am ſoo ferfull. from it to departe But for youre ſake. that I in parte My lyfe my dethe. of trewe affeccyon To prouyde. for youre ſauacyon Toke the childe. and leyde it in her lappe And richely in clothes. gan it wrappe And couched it among the herbes ſoote And leyde aboute. many holſom roote And floures eke. bothe blewe and rede And ſuppryſed. with a maner drede With Tydeus forth anone ſhe wente As ſhe in trouth. that noo treaſon mente And in her waye. wolde ſhe neuer dwell Tyll ſhe hym brought. to a right fayre well And to a ryuer. of water right habonde But who was glad. and who was tho Joconde But Tydeus ſeeng the ryuer whiche in all the haſte. ſente his meſſenger To Adraſtns. and bade hym not abyde But downe deſcende. to the ryuer ſyde with all thooſt. recure for to haue Atte this ryuer. her lyues for to ſaue And this enhaſte. hem makyng none abode All attones. to the ryuer rode For to drynke. they had ſoo grete luſte Of appetyte. for to ſtanche her thruſte And ſome dronke. and foūde it dyde them good And ſome were ſoo feruente and ſoo wood Upon the water. that in ſykerneſſe Thrugh vndyſcrete. and haſty gredyneſſe Oute of meſure. the water ſoo they drynke That they fyll dede. euen vpon the brynke And ſome naked. in to the ryuer ronne Oonly for hete. of the ſomer ſonne To bathen hem. the water was ſoo colde And ſome alſo. as I haue you tolde I mene tho. that prudente weren and wyſe The water dranke. in meſurable wyſe That of the thurſte. they haue toforne endured They were refreſſhed. fully and recured And Grekes than. of hye and lowe degree For hye profyte. and grete commodytee Compas the ryuer. cryſtallyn of ſyght Of one accorde. there her tentes pyght To reſte hem. there in relees of her payne Oonly the ſpace. of a daye or twayne And whyles Grekes. vpon the ryuer laye This Tydeus. vpon the ſame daye Full knyghtly. hath doo his dylygence This yonge lady. with grete reuerence To Adraſtus. goodly to preſente Atte whoos comyng. the kyng hymſelfe wente Agaynſt her. ſhe fallyng downe on her knees All the ſtates. preſente and degrees Of grekes londe. abſente was not one And in his armes. toke her vp anone Thankyng her. and of her beſyneſſe Of her laboure. and her kyndneſſe Behotyng her. lyke as he was holde If ony thyng. playnly that ſhe wolde That he maye done. ſhe ſholde it redy fynde And Grekes all. the ſtory maketh mynde Of the ſtates. beyng tho preſente Thanked her. with all her hole entente For the refreſſhyng. done to many a Greke And for her parte. they behyght her eke with her bodyes. and goodes bothe twoo what her lyſte. commaunde hem for to doo To be redy platly. and not fayle And here myne auctour. maketh reherſall That this lady. ſoo fayre vpon to ſee Of whome the name. was Iſyphyle To Adraſtus tolde. as ye maye rede Lynealy the ſtok of her kynrede Whylom how ſhe a kynges doughter was Reherſyng hym. hole all the caas Fyrſte why that ſhe. oute of her countree wente Shortly. for ſhe nolde not aſſente To execute. a conſpyracyon Made by the wymmen. of that regyon A thyng contrarye. and ayenſte all ryght That eche of hem. vpon a certayn nyght By one accorde. ſhall warly take kepe Fader broder. and huſbondes in her ſlepe with knyues ſharpe. and raſours kene Lrytte her throtes. in that mortall tene Vnto this fyne. as Bochas tell can In all that londe. be not founde a man But ſlayn echone. to this concluſyon That wymmen myght haue domynacyon In that kyngdome. to regne at lyberte And on noo parte. interrupted be But for this lady. paſſyng debonayre To this morder. was froward and contrarye Lrepte her fader. that he was not ſlawe But fro the dethe. preſerued and wythdrawe For whiche alas. ſhe fled the countree And of a pyrat. taken in the ſee To kyng Lygurgus. broughten in all drede And for her trouthe. and her womanhede To her he toke his yong childe to kepe whiche in the herber. alone lefte to ſlepe whan Tydeus. ſhe brought to welle And by Jaſon. ſome bokes telleJaſon That this lady. had ſones two whan that he. and Hercules alſoHercules Towarde Colchos. by her countree cam For tacomplyſſhe. the conqueſt of the Ram But who that lyſte. by and by for to ſee The ſtory hole. of this IſyphyleIſyphyle Her faders name. of whiche alſo I wente Though ſome ſeyn. he named was Toante And ſome bokes. Vermes eke hym call But to knowe. the auentures all Of this lady. Iſyphyle the fayre Soo faythfull ay. and Inly debonayre Loke on the boke. that Johan Bochas made whylom of wymmen. with Rothorykes glad And dyrecte. by full ſouerayne ſtyle To fayre Jane. the quene of Secyle Rede there the Rubryſſhe of Iſyphyle Of her trouth. and of her hye bountye Full craftely compyled. for her ſake And whan that ſhe. hath her leue take Of Adraſtus. homewarde in her waye Tydeus. gan her to conueye To the gardeyn. tyll ſhe is repayred But now alas. my mater dyſepeyred Of all Joye. and of all welfulneſſe And deſtytute. of myrthe and all gladneſſe For now of woo. gynneth the ſharpe ſhoures For this lady founde. among the floures Her lytyll childe. tourned vp the faceHowe the childe was ſlayn with a ſerpent Slayne of a ſerpente. in the ſelfe place Her tayle burled. with ſcales ſyluer ſhene The venyin. was ſoo perſyng and ſoo kene Soo perylous. eke the mortall vyolence Cauſed alas. thorugh her long abſence She was to ſlowe. homewarde for to hye But now can ſhe. but wepe wayle and crye Now can ſhe not. but ſyghen and complayne And wofully. wryng her hondes twayne Dedely of loke. pale of face and chere And gan to rende. her gylte treſſes clere And ofte ſythe. gan ſhe ſaye alas I wofull wretche. vnhappy in this caas what ſhall I doo. or wheder ſhall I tourne For this the fyne. yf I there ſoiourne I wote right well. I maye not eſcape The pyteous fate. that is for me ſhape Socoure is none. nor there maye be noo rede Lyche my decerte. but that I mote be dede For thorugh my ſlouth. and my neclygence I haue alas. done ſoo grece offence That my gylte. I maye not excuſe Shall to the kyng. of treaſon me accuſe Thorugh my defaute. and ſlouth bothe two His ſone is dede. and his heyre alſo whiche he loueth. more than all his gode For treſoure. none ſoo nye his herte ſtode Nor was ſoo depe. graue in his corage That he is lykly. to falle in a rage whan it is ſoo. myne odyous offence Reported be. vnto his audyence Soo Importable. ſhall be his heuyneſſe And well wote I. in verray ſothfaſtneſſe That whan the kyng. hath this eſpyed To myne excuſe. it maye not be denyed I doubte it not. there geyneth noo pyte with oute reſpyte. he wyll auenged be On me alas. I haue deſerued That fro the deth. I maye not be preſerued Nother by bylle. ne ſupplycacyon For the rage. of my tranſgreſſyon Requyreth deth. and none other mede And thus alas. quakyng in her drede None other helpe. ne remedye • an But dreynte in ſorowe. to the Grekes ran Of hertly woo. face and chere deſteyned And her chekes. with wepyng all bereyned In her affraye. dyſtracte and furyous To forne all. ſhe come to Tydeus And fyll on knees. & gan her complaynt make Tolde playnly. that for Grekes ſake She mote be dede. and ſhortly in ſubſtance Reherſyng hym. the grete of her greuance Fyrſte how by traynes. of falſe ſerpente The childe was ſlayne. whyle ſhe was abſente In what dyſioynte. and perell that ſhe ſtode And whan that he. her myſchyfe vnderſtode Vnto her. full knyghtly he behyght To helpe and further. all that euer he myght Her pyteous wo. to ſtynten and appeale And for to fynde. vnto her dyſeaſe Haſty comforte. he wente a full grete paſe To Adraſtus. and tolde hym all the caas Of this vnhappy. wofull aduenture Beſechyng hym. to done his beſy cure As he was bounde. of equyte and ryght And aduerten. and to haue a ſyght How ſhe quyte her. to Grekes here to forne whan they were lykly. for to haue be lorne The ſocour voyde. of her womanhede Of whiche he muſte. of knyghthode take hede To remedyen this vnhappy thyng And Adraſtus. lyke a worthy kyng Taquyte hymſelfe. the ſtory maketh mynde To this lady. wyll not to be founde vnkynde Nother for coſte. nor for noo trauayle But beſy was. in all that myght auayle To her ſocoure. conſydered all thynges And by thauyſe. of all the worthy kynges Of Grekes londe. they ben accorded thus Prynces dukes. and worthy Tydeus To holde her waye. and all attones ryde To Lygurgus. dwellyng there beſyde Of one entente. yf they maye purchace In ony wyſe. for to gete grace For this lady. called Iſyphyle They wolde aſſaye. yf it myght be And to his paleys. full royall bylte of ſtone The worthy Grekes. cam rydyng euerychone Euery lorde. full freſſhely on his ſtede And Lygurgus. example of manlyhede Anone as he knewe. of her comyng Taquyte hymſelfe. lyche a gentyll kyng Agayn hem wente. to mete hem on the waye Full well beſeen. and in full good araye Receyuyng hym. with a full kyngly chere And to Adraſtus ſayde. as ye ſhall here Coſyn quod he. and gan hym to enbrace ye be welcome. to youre owne place Thankyng hertely. to your hye nobleſſe That ſoo goodly. of youre gentylleſſe Towardes me. ye lyſte you taquyte youre ſelfe daye. youre Coſyn to vyſyte In this caſtell. to make youre lodgyng That neuer yet. I was ſoo glad of thyng And all my lyfe. and there to here my trouthe And euermore. there ſhall be noo ſlouthe That the chambres. and the large toures Shall be delyuered. to your herberyours That euery lorde. as is of degree Vnto his lodgyng. aſſygned ſhall be Youre offycers. lete hemſelfe deuyſe If the houſyng. maye largely ſuffyſe To you and youres. ſtretchen and attayne That none eſtate. haue cauſe to complayne And all youre hooſt. lodged here beſyde whiche in tentes. vpon you abyde Lete hem fette. by myne auctoryte Vytayle you here in my cyte And all that maye. hem ſocoure or ſaue And at a worde. all that euer I haue Is full and hole. at youre commaundemente Quod Adraſtus. that is not oure ententeHow adraſtꝰ & all the ſtat • of grekes prayed lygurgꝰ for the lyfe of Isyphyle Nor in noo partye. cauſe of oure comyng For we come. all for a nother thyng A certeyn gyfte. of you to requyre Benygnely. yf ye lyſte to here whiche maye Grekes. paſſyngly auayle Of youre requeſt. that ye not ne fayle whiche we dare not openly expreſſe withoute that ye wolde of gentylleſſe youre graunte a forne. conferme an ratyfye Than were we bolde. it to ſpecyfye Quod Lygurgus. what thyng euer it be Nought excepted. by oonly thynges thre The fyrſte thyng is it. toucheth not my lyfe My yong ſone playnly. ne my wyfe Take all my good. or what ye lyſte prouyde Of my treſoure. and ſette theſe thre a ſyde All the ſurplus. I counte not at a myte Than Adraſtus. aſtoned was a lyte whan Lygurgus in concluſyon Of his ſone. dyde make excepcyon And whyles they thus entreaten I fere There come forth one. with a woofull chere Of face. of loke pale and noo thyng rede A lowde cryeth. the kynges ſone is dede Alas the whyle. that whylom was ſoo fayre After Lygurgus borne. for to ben hayre The whiche alas. hath yolden vp the brethe As a ſerpente. ſtongen vnto the dethe And with his wounde. newe freſſhe and grene In therber. lyeth that pyte is to ſene And hath ſoo layen. all mooſt all this daye That whan Lygurgus harde this affraye And wyſte his childe was dede. & had no moo Lytyll wounder. though that he were woo For ſodeynly. the Importable ſmerteThe ſorowe ye kyng ligurgꝰ made for ye dethe of his child & ye lamētacōn of the quene Ran anone. and hente hym by the herte That for conſtreyne. of his dedely peyne Thorugh oute he felte. koruen euery veyne The rage gan myne. in hym ſoo depe That he can not. but ſygh ſobbe and wepe And with the noyſe. and lamentacyon The quene deſtraught. is deſcended doun And whan ſhe knew. groūde of all this ſorowe It nede her noo teres for to borowe But twenty tyme. by vpon a rowe A ſwoune ſhe fell. vnto the grounde lowe And ſtounde mele. for this hye myſchaūce Styll as ſtone. ſhe lyggeth in a traūce And whan it. in to the courte was brought Therfore Lygurgus alas. I wyte hym nought Vpon the cors. with a mortall face He fell attones. and gan it to embrace Sore to grype. and agayn vp ſterte That whan Adraſtus. gan this aduerte Of kyngly reuthe. and compaſſyon From his eyen. there teres fell doun Eke kynges dukes. that aboute ſtode O only of pyte. that is in gentyll blode Noo power had the water to reſtrayne That on her chekes. downe gan to reyne But all a daye. wolde not ſuffyſe All her ſorowes. in order to deuyſe Fyrſte of the kyng. and of the quene alſo To tellen all. I ſholde neuer haue do Nought in the ſpace. all mooſt of an houre But whan the ſtormes. and ſharpſhoures Of her wepyng. was ſomewhat ouer gone The lytyll cors. was grauen vnder ſtone And Adraſtus. in the ſame tyde Lygurgus toke. alyte oute aſyde And full wyſely. with his prudente ſpeche The quene preſente. gan hym for to teche That ſoo to ſorowe. auayle maye right noughtAgayns de the may be no recure To morder hymſelfe. with his owne thought Syth los of deth. noman maye recure Though he in woo. perpetuelly endure All helpeth not. whan the ſoule is go And oure lyfe here. who taketh hede therto Is but an exyle. and a pylgrymage Full of tourmente. and of bytter rage Lyche a ſee. rennyng to and fro Suyng an ebbe. whan the flode is do Lytyll ſpace. abydyng at full Of whoos ſoiourne. the • ope yeueth noo bull Nor kyng is. nor duke no Emperoure That may hym ſhroude. agayn yt fatall ſhoure Of cruell deth. whan hym lyſte manaſſe To marke a man. with his mortall mace That geyneth not. to his ſauacyon Nother franchyſe. ne proteccyon And lytyll or nought. maye helpe in this caas Saue conduyte. or ſuperſydeas For in this worlde. who loketh a ryght Is none ſoo grete. of power ne of myght None ſoo riche. ſhortly ne none ſoo holde That he muſte dye. other yong or olde And who in youthe paſſeth this paſſage He is eſcaped. all the wood rage All ſorow and trouble. of this preſente lyfe Replenyſſhed. with contek warre and ſtryfe whiche ſelde or neuer. ſtonde in ſuerte wherfore beſte is. as ſemeth vnto me Noo man grutche. but of hye prudence The ſonde of god. take in pacyence And ye that be ſoo manly to youre lyfe to drowne. in tournement and in wo For loſſe of thyng. that ye lyſte to ſee whiche in noo wyſe. recured may be Is grete foly. and vndyſcrecyon And thus Adraſtus. hath conueyed doun The ſubſtance hole. of that he wolde ſaye Tyll that he fonde. a tyme for to praye Conuenyente. for Iſyphyle Beſechyng hym. for to haue pyte Of that ſhe hath. his hyghneſſe Not wylfully. but rekleſneſſe Fyrſte that he wolde. his domes to deuyde Mercy preferre. and ſette right aſyde Atte requeſte and prayer. of hem all Of this vnhap. and myſcheef that is befall By haſty rygoure. and not to vengaunce But thyng a forne. in his purueaunce who to wretches. dooth mercy in her drede Shall mercy fynde. whan he hath mooſt nede And ſyth he hath. power myght and ſpace Lete hym take this lady to his grace For lacke of ruthe. that ſhe nought dye But tho the quene. gan ayen replye And platly ſayde. as in this mater Auayleth not. requeſt nor prayer Pyte mercy. noo remyſſyon But yf it be. by this condycyon But yf the ſerpente. cauſe of all this ſorowe Though his laboure. leye his hede to borowe This is fynall. and vtter recompenſe To fynde grace. for her grete offence Or ſhortly ſhede. blode for blode And whan the Grekes. her anſwer vnderſtode All of one accorde. in her beſte wyſe Toke on hem. this auentures empryſe For loue oonly of Iſyphyle And gan to ryde. enuyron the countre By hylles vales. roches and eke caues In dyches darke. and in olde graues By euery coſte. ſerchyng vp and downe Tyll • at laſte. full famous of renowne The worthy knyght. ParthonolopeHow parthonolope ſawe fyrſte this ſerpēt was the fyrſte. that happed to ſe This hydeous ſerpente. by a ryuer ſyde Grete and horryble. ſtern and full of pryde Vnder a roche. by a banke lowe And in all haſte. he hent a ſturdy bowe And there in ſette. an arowe fyled kene And thrugh the body. ſpotted blewe and grene Full myghtely. he made it for to glyde And rente oute a ſwerde. hangyng by his ſyde Smote of his hede. and anone it hente And therwith all. gan the quene preſente Where thorugh. her ſorow parcell gan a ſwage And thus of proweſſe. and of hye corage This manly man. Parthonolope Hath reconſyled. fayre Iſyphyle Vnto grace. fully of the quene Her yre auoyed. and her olde tene And by Adraſtus. medyacyon Lryng Lygurgus. graunted a pardon To this lady. that from all daunger fre She was reſtored. to her lyberte In her paleys. all her lyfe to dwell Though Johan Bochas. the contrarye tell For this auctoure. affyrmed oute of drede That whā this childe. was by the ſerpent dede She durſte not. for her grete offence Neuer after come in preſence Of Lygurgus. but of intencyon Fled anone oute. of that regyon A • te herte ſhe toke. the childes dethe ſoo ſore what fell of her. I fynde can noo more Than ye haue herde. me a fore ſpecyfye And the kyngdome. but kookes lyeNota De Ligurgꝰ rege regni tracee Of Lygurgus. was I called trace And as I rede. in a nother place He was the ſame myghty champyon To Athenes. that cam with palamon Agaynſt his brother. that called was Arcyte Lad in his chare. with .iiii. boles whyte Vpon his hede. a wreth of golde full fyne And I fynde eke. how Bachus god of wyneBachus deus vinū with this kyng. was whylom at debate Oonly for he. pompous and elate Deſtruccyon dyde. to his vynes And for he fyrſte. allaye ſette on wynes Meynte water. where they were to ſtrong And this Bachus. for the grete wrong Brake his lymmes. and dreynte hym in the ſee Of Lygurgus. ye gete noo more of me But the trouth. yf ye lyſte verryfyeNotādū de xii arboriꝰ in libro bochacii de geneologya deo rum Rede of goddes. the geneologye Lyneally. her kynrede by degrees Ibraūched oute. vpon twelue trees Made by Bochas. Decertaldo called Amonge poetes. in Itayle ſtalled Next Frauncys. petrarke ſuyng in certayn Vnto Grekes. I wyll retourne agayn To telle forth. ſhortly yf I canne Of her Journey. that they haue begonne How Adraſtus. hath his leue take Of Lygurgus. with his browes blake And departyng. with ſaynt Johan to borowe Made his wardes. on the next morowe Soo well beſeen. ſoo myghty and ſoo ſtronge wonder erly. whan the larke ſonge with a trompette. warned euery man To be redy. in all the haſte they can For to renne. and noo lenger lettyng make And ſoo they haue. the ryght waye take Towarde Thebes. the Grekes euerychone That ſuche a nombre. gadered in to one Of worthy knyghtes. neuer a forne was ſayne whan they in fere. mouſtren in a playne And they ne ſtynte. by none occaſyon Tyll they become. euen a forne the town And pyght her tentes. proudely as I rede Vnder the walles. in a grene mede And whan the Thebans. weren beſette aboute The manly knyghtes. wolde a yſſued oute And haue ſcarmeſſhed. in her luſty pryde with her fomen. on that other ſyde But by byddyng of Ethyocles All thylke nyght. they kepte hemſelfe in pees By cauſe oonly. that it was ſoo late with grete awayte. ſet at euery gate Men of armes. all the nyght wakyng On the walles. by byddyng of the kyng Leſte there were. treynes or treaſon And on the coures. and in the chyfe dongon He ſette vp men. to make mortall ſouns with braſen hornes. and lowde claryons Of full entente. the watches for to kepe In his warde. that noo man ne ſlepe And Grekes proudly. all the long nyght Lryndly fyres. and made full grete lyght Set vp lodgyng. vpon euery ſyde Lyke as they ſolde. euer there abyde Compas the towne. there was noo voyde ſpace But all beſette. her fomen to manace And whyles they. a forne the Cytee layethe forraye yt the Grekes made in ye coūtre aboute the bes On euery coſte. they ſente oute the forraye Brente townes. thorpes and vyllages with grete Rauyne. makyng her pyllages Spoyle and robbe. and brought home vytayle And all maner ſortes of beſtayle Shepe and neet. and in her cruell rage with houndes ſlowe. all that was ſauage Herte and hynde. both buk and do The blak bore. and the wylde Roo The fatte ſwyne. and the tuſſhy bore Caryeng all home. for the Grekes ſtore whete and wyne. for her auauntage Hay and otes. foder and forage with this kalendes. as hem thynk due Grekes gan the Thebans to ſalue Mynyſtryng hem. occaſyons fell The ſege ſette. ſhortly for to tell Of full entente. in her hatfull pryde For lyfe or deth. there vpon to abyde Who ſoo euer therwith be agreued Tyll they fully. her purpos haue acheued There maye therof. be maked noo reles And of this. full ware Ethyocles Gan in partye. gretely meruayle whan that he ſawe. the grete apparayle Of the Grekes. the Cytee rounde aboute And in hymſelfe. had a maner doubte None atte poynte. what was beſte to doo For thylke tyme. it ſtode with hym ſoo That to ſome. abydyng in the town He had in herte. grete ſuſpeccyon Leſte towarde hym. they were vnſtable And to his brother. in partye fauorable For in the Cytee. there was varyaunceThe varyance in the bes yt cytee among hē ſelfe whiche vnto hym. was a grete meſchaunce For in his nede. ſhortly he ne wyſte Vpon whome. that he myght tryſte For they were not all of one entente For whiche he hath. for his councell ſente All his lordes. and the olde quene whiche as he dempte. were pure and clene Hole of one herte. and not varyable Of olde experte. and alwaye founde ſtable Requyryng hym. by cauſe they were wyſe All openly. to tellen her auyſe where it where. bet playnly in her ſyght with his brother. to treaten or to fyght And ſome gafe. a full blonte ſentence whiche had of werre. none experyence Sayde it was beſte. and not be aferde To trye his right. manly with his ſwerde And ſome alſo. that were more prudente Spake vnto hym. by good aduyſemente And lyſte not ſpare. but theyre conceyte tolde How it was beſte. his couenante for to holde And to perfourme. his heſte made to forne To his brother. lyche as he was ſworne Soo yt his ſworde. the wors to make hym ſpede Be not founde varyaunte. fro noo dede For none hatred. rancoure nother prydeNota The wordes of ye quene Jocaſta vnto ethyocles ye kyng And tho the quene. toke hym oute a ſyde Tolde hym playnly. it was vnſyttyng Suche doubleneſſe. to fynde in a kyng And ſayd hym eke. all though he were ſtrong To his brother. how he dyde wrong As all the towne. wyll recorde in dede And bere wytneſſe. yf it came to nede wherfore lete vs ſhape a nother mene In this mater. whyle that it is grene Or this quarell. gonne of volunte Tourne in the fyne. of more aduerſyte For yf it be. darreyned by batayle who truſteth mooſt. maye lykely fayle And it is foly. by ſho • te aduyſementeHow perylous it is to be goūned by Marces in ony quarell To put a ſtryfe. in Martis Jugemente For harde it is. whan a Juge is wood To treate a forne hym. withoute loſſe of blood And yf we putte it hole in Marte That with the ſwerde. his lawes dooth coarte Than may it hap. where ye be glad or lothe Thou and thy brother. ſhall repente bothe And many a nother. that is here preſente Of youre treſpace. that ben Innocente And many thouſand. in caas ſhall complayne For the debate. oonly of you twayne And for youre ſtryfe. ſhalte fynde full vnſwote And for thou arte. gynnyng grounde and rote Of this Iniurye. and this grete vnryght To the goddes. that here of haue a ſyght Thou ſhalte a countes. and a rekenyng make For all tho. that peryſſhen for thy ſake And now the cauſe. dryuen is ſoo ferre Sodeyn peas. or haſty warre Muſte folowe anone. for the fatall chaunce Of lyfe and deth. dependeth in balaunce And noo man maye by noo crafte reſtrayne That vpon one. platly of theſe twayne The ſorte mote falle. lyke as it dooth torne whos that euer. laughe or morne And thou arte dryue. ſoo narowe to the ſtake That thou mayſte not. mo delayes make But fyghte or treate. this quarell for to fyne Be none engyne. thou canſte it not declyne An haſty caſſe. as folke ſeyn that ben wyſe Redreſſe requyreth. by full ſhorte auyſe For to treate longe. now auayleth nought For to the poynte. ſothly thou arte brought Eyther to kepe. thy poſſeſſyon Or in all haſte. deuoyde oute of this town where thou therwith. be wroth or well apayde Now note well. all that I haue ſayde And by my councell. wyſly condeſcende wrong wrought. of olde newly to amende The tyme is come. it wyll be none other wherfore in haſte. treate well with thy brother And ageyn hym. make none reſyſtence But to thy lordes. fully yeue credence By whoos counceyll. ſyth they be ſoo ſage Lete Polymyte. reioyſe his herytage And that ſhall tourne. mooſt to thyne aueyll Loo here is hole. the fyne of oure counceyll And ſhortly tho. for verray yre wroth Though he therto. frowarde was or loth Accorded is. heryng all the pres If he algate. treate ſhall for pees It muſte be. by this condycyon That he wolde haue. the domynacyon Fyrſte in chyfe to hymſelfe reſerued As hym thought. he had it well deſerued And ſaue to hym. hole the ſoueraynte And vnder hym. in Thebes the Cyte He to graunte. with a right good chere Polymyte. to regne for a yere Than auoyde. and not reſorte agayne For more to cleyme. was not but in vayne Thus wolde he done. oonly for her ſake And other wyſe. he wolde none ende make with the Grekes. what fortune euer falle And fynally. among his lordes all There was not one. of hye ne lowe eſtate That wolde gone on baſſate Oute of the towne. nother for bette ne worſe Tyll Jocaſta. made ſadell her horſe And caſte her ſelfe. to gone for this treate To make an ende. yf it wolde be And this was done. the morowe right by tyme Vpon the houre. whan it drowe to pryme And with her went. her yong doughters tweyne Antygone. and the fayre Imeyne Of her meyne. full many one aboute At gate ſhe was conueyed oute And of purpos. ſhe made fyrſte her wente On horſe bak. to the kyng Adraſtus tente He and his lordes. beyng all I fere And they reſceyue her. with right glad chere Suyng her. lyke to her degre On euery halfe. full grete humanyte Polymyte ryſyng. fro his place And humbely. his moder gan embrace • ryſſed her. and than Antygone And Imeyne. excellente of beaute And for that they were paſſyngly fayre Grete was the pres. concours and repayre Of the ladyes. for to haue a ſyght And Jocaſta. procedeth anone ryght To Adraſtus. her mater to purpoſe And gan to hym. openly dyſclose Thentente and wyll. of Ethyocles And by what mene. he deſyreth pees To hym reſerued. as ſhe can ſpecyfye The honour and hole. and the regalye with the ſepture. & crowne fro hym not deuyded But hole to hym. as he hath prouyded And Polymyte. vnder this condycyon Vnder hym to regnen. in the town As a ſubgette. by ſuffraūce of his brother But the Grekes. thoughten all a nother And ſpecyally. worthy TydeusThe āſwere of tydeꝰ to ye quene Playnly affermyng. it ſholde not be thus For he wyll haue noo condycyons But ſette a ſyde. all excepcyons Noo thyng reſerued. as in ſpecyall But hole the lordſhyp. regaly and all Polymyte. it fully to poſſede In Thebes crowned. verrayly in dede As ryghtfull kyng. put in poſſeſſyon Lyche the couenantes. and conuencyon Imade of olde. aſſured and eſſealed whiche ſhall not now. of newe be repleted But ſtabyll and hole. in his ſtrengthe ſtonde And lete hym ſoo. platly vnderſtonde And fyrſte yt he. deuoyde hym out of the towne And delyuer. the ſepture and the crowne To his brother. and make there of noo more And ſhortly ellys. it ſhall be bought full ſore Or this mater. brought be to an ende For Grekes is there none. yt ſhall hens wende Or that oure right. whiche is vs denyed with lyfe or deth. dereyned be and tryed we ne wyll. erſt fro this towne rennewe And yf hym lyſte. all this to eſchewe And all myſchyfe. ſtynten and appeaſe To eyther parte. he maye doo grete eaſe Thus I mene. for his auauntage Delyuer vp hole. the trewe herytage To his brother. for a yere to endure And Grekes ſhall hym. fully aſſure By what bounde. that hym lyſte deuyſe The yere complete. in oure beſt wyſe To hym delyuer. ayen poſſeſſyon withoute ſtryfe. or contradyccyon And to his fyne. Juſtly holde vs to And yf it falle. that he wolde not ſo Lete hym not wayte. but oonly after warre The houre is come. we wyll it not deferre • oo here is all. and thus ye maye reporte To hym agayn. whan that ye reſorte Fro whiche a poynte. we caſte vs not to varye And yet to hym. Amphyorax contrarye Full playnly ſayde in concluſyon This fyne ſhall cauſe a deſtruccyon Of hem echone. yf it forth procede To be perfourmed. and executed in dede But thylke tyme. for all his eloquence He had in ſoth. but lytyll euydence For where ſoo euer. it mente good or yll Kyng Adraſtus. bad hym to be ſtyll And tho Jocaſta. as wyſdome dyd her teche Humble of her porte. with full ſofte ſpeche Gan ſeke meanes. in her fantaſye If ſhe myght. the yre modefye Of the Grekes. to make hem to enclyne In ony wyſe. her rancoure for to fyne She dyde her deuoyre. and her beſy cure But tho befell. a wounder aduenture Cauſe and grounde. of grete confuſyon Grekes perturbyng. and eke the town And it telle. maye not me aſterte For whiche a while. my ſtyle I mote dyuerte And ſhortly telle. by deſcrypcyon Of a Tyger. dwellyng in the town whiche from a kyngdome. beſyden adiacente Oute of Egypte. was to Thebes ſente Whiche beſte. by recorde of ſcrypture Is mooſt ſwyfte. as of his nature And of his kynde. alſo mooſt ſauage And mooſt cruell. whan he is in his rage And as clerkes. maken menſyon He of body. reſembleth to a lyon And lyke a greyhoūde. the moſell and the hede And of eyen. as ony fyre rede Eke of his ſkynne. wryten as I fynde Lyche a panter. conuersaunte in ynde With all maner. hues and colours And is full ofte deſceyued with myrrours By fraude of hunters. and falſe apparence Shewed in glas. withoute exyſtence Whan his kyndles. arn by ſleyght Itake And he deſceyued. maye noo reſcuſe make And lyke a lambe. was this Tyger tame Ayen kynde. myne auctour wryte the ſame And this beſte. merueylous to ſe Was ſente. to Imeyne and antygone Whiche vnto hem. dyde grete comforte And coude playe. and make grete dyſporte Lyke a whelpe. that is but yonge of age And to wyght. dyde noo domage Noo more in ſouth. than dooth a lytyll hounde And it was worth. many a hoūdred pounde Vnto the kyng. for ay in his greuaūce There was no thyng. dyde hym more pleſaūce That for no treſoure. it myght not be bought For whan that he was. in penſyfe or in thought It put hym oute. of his heuyneſſe And thylke tyme. the ſtory dyde expreſſe That Jocaſta. treated for a pes This tame Tyger. in partye rekles Oute of the gates. in ſyght of many a man In to the felde. wyldly oute ran And caſuelly. rennyng to and fro In and oute. as dooth a tame Ro Grekes wenyng. that were yong of age That this Tyger. had be ſauage And cruelly beſectyng all the place Rounde abounte. gan hym to enchaſe Tyll he was dede. and ſlayn in the felde The deth of whome. whan that they behelde The proude Thebans. whiche on ye walles ſtode They ronne downe. full furyous and wode Wenyng he had. ben ſlayn of deſpyte Takyng her hors. withoute more reſpyte Fully in purpos. with Grekes for to fyght The Tygers deth. tauenge yf they myght And oute they rode. withoute gouernayll And full proudely. Grekes gan aſſayll And of hatred. and hye dyſdayne Fyll vpon hem. that haue the Tyger ſlayne And cruelly quyten hem her mede That many Greke. in the grene mede By the force. and the grete myght Of her fomen. laye ſlayne in the ſyght The Tygres dethe. ſoo dere they a bought Soo mortally. the Thebans on hem wrought That all the Ooſte. in the felde lyggyng Was aſtoned. of this ſodeyn thyng And in this whyle. of rancoure reckles Oute of Thebes. rode Ethyocles And with hym the worthy kyng Tremoure Of his honde a noble werryoure That made Grekes. to forſake her place And to her tentes. gan hem enchace And myd the felde. as they togyder mette On horſe bake. with ſperes ſharpe whette Of ve • ray hate. and enuyous pryde Full many one. was dede on euery ſyde The whiche thyng. whan Tydeus eſpyethThe grete māhode of worthy tydeus Wood as a lyon. to hors bak hyeth As he that was. neuer a dele aferde But ran on hym. and mette hem in the berde And maugre hem. in his crueltee He made hem fiee. home to her Lytee Hem purſuyng. of full dedely hate That many one. laye ſlayn at gate Gapyng vpryghtes. with her woundes wyde That vtterly. they durſte not abyde There for the ſwerde. of this Tydeus He was on hem. ſoo paſſyng furyous Soo many Theban. he rofe to the herte That whan Jocaſta. the ſlaughter gan aduerte Polymyte. ſhe gan praye full fayre To make Grekes. home agayne repayre And that they wolde ſtenten to aſſayle For thylke daye. and ſeaſen her batayle Atte whoos requeſte. playnly and prayer And at reuerence. of his moder dere Polymyte. hyr herte to comforte Grekes made. home ageyn reſorte And Tydeus to ſtynten. of his chace And they of Thebes. haſtyng a grete pace Full tryſte and heuy. ben entred in to the town And for the Tygre. in concluſyon As ye haue herde. fyrſte began this ſtryfe That many Theban. that daye loſte his lyfe And reculees. haue yolden vp the breth In thauengyng. of the Tygre is deth And all this whyle. duely as ſhe ought The quene Jocaſta. humbly beſought Lryng Adraſtus. oonly of his grace Some mene waye. wyſly to purchace To make a peas. a twene the brethern tweyne And the treate. ſoo prudently ordeyne On eyther partye. that noo blood be ſhad And this Adraſtrus. wyſe and ryght ſad For Grekes partye. anſwere gaue anone That other ende. ſhortly gete ſhe none Lyche as the lordes. fully ben aduyſed That Tydeus. hath to forne deuyſed And whan ſhe ſawe. it maye none other be She leue toke. and home to the Cyte She is repeyred. hauyng to her gyde Polymyte rydyng by her ſyde And Tydeus. lad Antygone And of Archadye. Prothonolope The worthy kyng. dyde his beſy peyne To be attendaunte. vpon fayre Imeyne Whos herte ſhe hath. to her ſeruyce lured And he agayne. hath p • rtrayed and fygured Myd of his breſte. that lyghtly maye not paſſe Hole the fetures. of her freſſhely face Hym thought ſhe was. ſoo fayre a creature And though that he. durſte not hym dyſcure Yet in his herte. as ferforth as he can He hath auowed. to be hyr trewe man U • wyſte to her. playnly and vnknowe How he was marked. with Cupydys bowe with his arowe. ſodeynly werreyed And to the yate. the ladyes conueyed Ben entred in. for it drewe to eue Grekes of hem. takyng tho her leue Though ſome of hem. were lothe to departe yet of wyſdom. they durſte not inparte Under a conduyte. to entren in to the town Leſte it tourned. to her confuſyon Though ſome bokes. the contrarye ſayn But myn auctoure. is platly there agayn And fermeth. in his oppynyon That Tydeus. of hye dyſcrecyon Of wylfulneſſe. nor of folye Ne wolde as tho. putte in partye Nother hymſelfe. ne none of his feres And the ladyes. with heuenly there Angelyke. of loke and contenaunce Lyche as it is putte. in remembraunce Atte her entryng. fro Grekes in to the town Polymyte. of grete affeccyon The quene beſought. thylke nyght not fyne For to aſſaye. yf ſhe myght enclyne Ethyocles. of conſcyence and ryght To kepe couenaunte. as he hath behyght Full yere ago. with the ſuperluſage Leſte the contrarye. tourne to domage Fyrſte on hymſelfe. & ſyth on many other moo And thus from Thebes. the Grekes ben a goo To her tentes. and reſte hem all the nyght And Lucyna the mone. ſhone full bryght within Thebes. on the chyfe dongon whan Jocaſta. made relacyon Unto the kyng. and tolde hym all the gyſe How that the Grekes. vtterly deſpyſe His profer made. by falſe colluſyon Only excepte. the conuencyon Of olde engroſed. by grete purueaunce That is enrolled. and put in remembraunce Upon whiche. fynally they wyll reſte Hym conſeylyng. her though for the beſte To conferme hym. to that he was bounde Leſte in the fyne. falſneſſe hym confounde But all her counſeyll. he ſette at noo pryce He dempte hymſelfe. ſoo prudente and ſoo wyſe For he was wylfull. and he was Indurate And in his herte. of malyce obſtynate And vtterly aduyſed. in his thought within Thebes. his brother gette right nought And in his erroure. thus I lete hym dwell And of Grekes. forth I wyll you tell whiche all that nyght. kepte hemſelfe cloſe And on the morowe. whan tytan vp a roſe They armed hem. and gan hem redy make And of aſſente. haue the felde Itake with the Thebans. that day oute of doughte For to fyghten. yf they yſſue oute And Adraſtus. in full tryſty wyſe In the felde. his wardes gan deuyſe As he that was. of all deceytes ware And rychely armed in his chare Amphyorax come. with his menye Full renomed. of antyquyte And well experte. by cauſe he was olde And whyle that Grekes. as I haue you tolde were beſyeſte. her wardes to ordeyne Myd of the felde. befell a caas ſodeyne Full vnhappy. lothſome and odyble And lyche a thyng. that were Inuyſyble This olde byſſhop. with chare & horſe certeynHow byſſhop āphiorax ſodeynly fell downe in to hell Dyſapered. and noo more was ſeyn Oonly of fate. whiche noo man can expelle The erthe openeth. and he fyll downe to helle with all his folke. that vpon hym abode And ſodeynly. the grounde that he on ſtode Cloſed agayn. and togyder ſhytte That neuer after. Grekes with hym mette And thus the deuell. for his olde outrages Lyche is deſerte. payde hym his wages For he full lowe. is deſcended dewn In to the darke. and black rogyon where that Pluto. is crowned and Iſtalled with his quene. Proſerpyna called with whome this byſſhop. hath made his manſyon Perpetuelly. as for his guerdon Loo here the mede of ydolatrye Of ryghtes olde. and of falſe mammentrye Loo what auaylen Incantacyons Of exorſyſmes. and coniuryſons what ſtode hym ſtede. his nygramancye Calculacyon. or Aſtronomye what vayled hym. the heuenly manſyons Dyuerſe aſpectes. or conſtellacyons The ende is not. but ſorowe and myſchaunce Of hem that ſetten. her vtter affyaunce In ſuche werkes. ſuperſtycyous Or truſte on hem. he is vngracyous Recorde I take. ſhortly for to telle Of this byſſhop. ſonken downe to helle whoos wofull ende. aboute in euery coſte Suche a rumor. hath made in the oſte That the noyſe. of this vncouth thyng Is I ronne. and I come to the kynge How this vengaūce. is vnwardly falle And he anone. made a trompette calle All his people. oute of the felde agayne And euerychone. aſſembled on a playne Tofore the kyng. and alſo rounde aboute Euery man of his lyfe in doubte Full pyteouſly. gan to froune and loure Leſte that the grounde. hem all wolde deuoure And ſwalue hem. in his darke kaue And they ne can. noo recure hem to ſaue For neyther force. ne manhode may hem auayle In ſuche myſchyfe. the value of a mayle For he that was wyſeſte. coude mooſt To ſerche and ſeke. thorugh oute all the ooſt Amphyorax. whan he leſte wende To helle is ſonken. and can not hym defende To hym the tyme. vnknowen and vnwyſte In whom whylom. was all the Grekes tryſte Her hole comforte. and her affyaunce But all attones. for this ſodeyn chaunce And this myſchyfe. they gan hem all dyſpeyre Home to Grece. that they wyll repeyre This was the purpos. of hem euerychoon And on the walles. of Thebes lay her foon Reioyſyng hem. of this vnhappy eure wenyng therby. gretly to recure And on her towres. as they loken oute They on Grekes. enuyouſly gan ſhoute And of deſpyte. and grete enuyte Bad hem foles. gone ho •• to her contre Syth they haue loſt. her comforte & her ſocoure Her fals prophete. and her dyuynoure where thrugh. her parte gretly is appeyred And in this wyſe. Grekes dyſeſpeyred Dempte playnly. by tokens euydent This caſe falle. by ſo •• enchantement By wytchecrafte. or by falſe ſorcerye Agaynſte whiche. maye be noo remedye Tryſty defence. helpe nor ſocoure And whan Adraſtus. herde this clautoure He beſy was. agayns this perturbance To prouyde. ſome maner cheuyſance And to hym calleth. ſuche counſell as he wyſte For lyfe or deth. that he myght truſte Requyryng hem. but in wordes fewe In this myſchyfe. her mocyon to ſhewe And declare by good auyſemente what to Grekes. were mooſt expedyente To remedyen. and make noo delaye The vncouthe noyſe. and the grete affraye That Grekes made. with clamour Importune And nowe and nowe euer. in one contune And they yt weren. mooſt manly & mooſt wyſe Shortly ſayd. it were a grete cowardyſe The empryſe. that they haue vndertake For drede of dethe. ſoo ſodeynly forſake It were to hem. a perpetuell ſhame And oure hyndryng. vnto Grekes name And better it were. to euery werryoure Manly to deye. with worſhyp and honoure Than lyke a cowarde. with the lyfe endure For ous ſhamed. harde is to recure His name ayen. of what eſtate he be And ſyth Grekes. of olde antyquyte As of knyghthode. who ſoo lyſte take hede Ben ſoo famous. and ſoo renomede If now of newe. the ſhynyng of her fame Eclypſed were. with ony ſpot of blame It were a thyng. vncouth for to here Of whoos renon. the bemes yet ben clere Thrugh all ye world. where as they haue paſſed And ben nor yet. dyrked ne defaced By noo reporte. neyther on ſee ne on londe Thyng to forſake. that they toke on honde And by enſample. of oure progenytours That whylom weren. ſoo manly conquerours To forne that we. in to Grece wende Of thyng begon. lete vs make an ende And parte not. nor ſeuere fro this town Tyll it be brought. to deſtruccyon walles toures. creſted and embatayled And for werre. ſtrongly apparayled Be fyrſte downe. bete that noo thyng be ſeen But all togyder. to the erthe pleyn Be lowe layde. or that we reſorte That afterwarde. men maye of vs reporte That we began. knyghtly we haue achened Vpon oure foon. with worſhyp vnrepreued This was the counſell. ſhortly and thauyſe Of the Grekes. that manly were and wyſe That none aforn. were marked with no blame And ſpecyally. ſuche as drede ſhame And fully caſte. what fortune euery tyde On her purpos. to the ende abyde That on noo parte. her honour not appall And this counſell. Grekes one and all Ben condeſcended. for more happy ſpede In ſtede of hym. that was ſoo late dede Amphyorax. buryed depe in helle That coude whylom. to the Grekes telle Of thynges hyde. how it ſhall falle a forne In ſtede of whome. now they haue hym lorne They caſten hym. wyſly to purchaſe Some prudente man. to occupye his place That in ſuche thyng. myght hem mooſt auayle Thorugh ſtorye. of his dyuynayle By crafte of ſorte. or of prophecye If ony ſuche. they conden oute eſpye And among all. her purpos to attayneHow Grekes choſen hem a new dyuynoure in ye ſtede of āphyorax ye byſſhop As I fynde. they haue choſen twayne Mooſt renomed. of hem euery chone And Menolyppus. called was that one And Tardynyus. eke that other hyght And for he had. mooſt fauoure in her ſyght This Tardynyus. was choſen and preferred And her choys. Grekes haue not arred For whylom. her lerned is empryſe Of his mayſter. Amphyorax the wyſe And was dyſcyplyne. vnder his doctryne And of entente. that he ſhall termyne Vnto Grekes. thynges that ſhall fall And as byſſhop. mytred in his ſtall Done for hym. in many vncouth wyſe In the Temple. to goddes ſacryfyſe And thus confermed. and ſtalled in his ſee And fell dayes. ſtode in his degree After his mayſter. with full grete honoure Of Grekes choſe. to be ſucceſſoure And all this tyme. in ſtory as it is tolde Full grete myſchyfe. of hunger thruſt and colde And of Thebans. as they yſſuen oute Laye many one ſlayn in the route On eyther parte. of fortune as they mette Her mortall ſwerdes. were ſoo ſharpe whette And Tydeus. among hem of the town Fro daye to daye. playeth the lyon Soo cruelly. where ſoo that he rode That Thebans none. a forne his face abode He made hem. thrugh his hye renon Soo grete ſlaughter. and occaſyon That as the deth. fro his ſwerde they fled And who came next. leyde his hede to wed He quyte hymſelfe. ſoo lyke a manly knyght That where he wente. he put hem to the flyght And maugre hem. in his crueltee He drofe hem home. in to theyr Lytee Hem purſuyng. proudly to the gate That vnto hym. they bare ſoo dedely hate That they hem caſte. by ſlyght or ſome engyne To bryng hym. vnwarely to his fyne And leyde awayte. for hym daye and nyght But o alas. this noble manly knyght Vpon a daye. as he gan home enchaſe And mortaly made. hem to leſe her place And ſued hem. almooſt to the town That cauſe was. of his deſtruccyon For one alas. that on the walles ſtode Whiche all that daye. vpon hym abode With a quarell. ſharp heded for his ſake Marked hym. with a bowe of brake Soo cruelly makyng. none areſteHow pyteouſly worthy tydeus was ſlayn wt a quarel Tyll it was paſſed. bothe back and breſte Where thorugh alas. there was none other rede Nor lechecrafte. that he mote be dede There maye therof. be made noo delayes And yet was he. holden in his dayes The beſte knyght. and the mooſt manly man As myne auctoure. well reherſe can But for all that. was there noo defence Agayn the ſtroke. of dethes vyolence And Bochas wryte. or he was fully dede He was by Grekes. preſented with the hede Of hym that gaue his laſte fatall wounde And he was called. lyke as it is founde Menolyppus. I can not other telleHow he yt ſlow tydeꝰ called was menolippꝰ But thylke daye. Thebans waxe ſoo felle Vpon Grekes. that vnder her Lyte The manly kyng. Parthonolope Iſlayn was. euen a forne the gates And there alſo. armed bryght in plates The famous kyng. called ypomedon The ſame daye. as made is mencyon On horſe back. manly as he faught Atte brygge. euen vpon the draught Beſette with pres. caſuelly was drowned And thus fortune. hath on Grekes frouned On euery ſyde. thylke vnhappy daye But all the maner. tellen I ne maye Of her fyghtyng. nor her ſlaughter in ſothe More to declare. than myn auctour dothe But thylke daye. I fynde as ye maye ſeen Whan phebus. paſſed was merydyen And fro the ſouth. weſtwarde gan hem drawe His gylte treſſes. to bathen in the wawe The Theban kyng. fell Ethyocles Rote of vnreſte. and cauſer of vnhappes The ſlaughter of Grekes. whan yt he behelde Armed in ſtele. he come oute in to the felde Full deſyrous. in that ſodeyn hete Polymyte. atte good leyſer to mete Syngulerly. with hym to haue a doo For in this worlde. he hated noo man ſoo He ſatte ſoo nye. emprented in his herte Whoos comyng oute. his brother gan aduerte Vpon his ſtede. in the oppoſyte And had agaynwarde. alſo grete delyte To meten hym. yf fortune aſſente Thenuyous fyre. ſoo her hertes brente With hate cankred. of vnkynde blode And lyke twoo Tygres. in her rage wode With ſperes ſharpe. grounde for the nones Soo as they ran. and mette bothe attones Polymyte. thrugh plates mayle and ſhelde Rofe hym thrugh out. & ſmote hym in to ye felde But whan he ſawe. the ſtremes of his blood Rayle aboute. in maner of a • lood All ſodeynly. of compaſſyon Fro his courſer. he a lyght down And bretherly. with a pyteous face To ſaue his lyfe. gan hym to vnbrace And fro his wounde. of newe affeccyon Full beſy was. to pull oute the tronchon Of loue oonly. handlyng hym ryght ſofte But o alas. whyle he lay • a lofte Full yrouſly. Ethyocles the fell Of all this ſorowe. verray ſours and well with a dagger. in all his paynes ſmerteHow eueryche of ye theban brethern ſlow other to f • ren the cyte His brother ſmote. vnwardly to the herte whiche all her lyfe. had be ſoo wrothe And thus the Thebans were ſlayne bathe Atte entre. euen a forne the towne But Grekes tho ben a • ayled downe Oute of the felde. the worthy knyghtes all And in Thebes londe. as ony ſhall The Cytee aroſe. whan her kyng was d • de And to the gates. armed fote and hede Out of the towne. come many proude Theban And ſome of hem. vpon the walles ran And gan to ſhoute. that pyte was to here And they withoute. of her lyfe in where withoute comforte. or conſolacyon Dyſeſpyred. ronne home to the town And Grekes folowen after atte back That many one. that daye gooth to wrack And as her fomen. proudly hem aſſayle Full many grekes. thrugh plates & thrugh mayle was ſhet thrugh. oute preſſyng at walles And beten of. whiche with grete roūde balles That here laye one. and a nother yonder And the noyſe. more hydeous than thonder Of gonne ſhotte. and arblaſtes • he So londroute rong. that many worthy Greke There loſte his lyfe. they were on hem ſoo fell And at the gates. ſhortly for to tell Atte Grekes pres. to entren the Cytee They of Thebes. in her crueltee with hem mette. full furyous and wo • e And mortally. as they agayn hem ſtode Men myght ſee. ſperes ſhyner a ſonder That to beholde it was a verray wonder How they feyne. with daggers & with ſwerdes Thorugh the vyſer. hauyng at berdes Perſyng alſo. thrugh the rounde mayles Rente oute peces. of her auantayles That nought auayleth. the myghty geſtran Thrugh breſte & neck. yt the myghty ſperes ran Her wepenes were. ſoo ſharpe grounde & whette In there armure. that there were noo lette For there laye one. troden vnder fote And yonder one. perſed to the herte rode Here lyet one dede. and there a nother lame This was the playe. and the mortall game Attwene Thebans. and the Grekes proude That the ſwonnes. and the cryes loude Of hem that laye. and yolden vp the goſte was herde full fer. aboute in many coſte And atte gates. and ſaylyng of the wallHowe alle the gentyll blood of ye lond of gre • es & of the bes ye Cyte deſtroyed was vpon a daye I ſlayne was. all the blood Royall Both of the towne. and of Grekes londe And all the worthy. knyhtes of her honde And of lordes. I ſhall not fayne On grekes ſyde. a lyue were but twayne Lryng Adraſtus. and Campaneus That daye to hem. was ſoo vngracyous And for tytan. weſtred was ſoo lowe That noman myght. vnnethes other knowe Tho of the towne ſhette her gates faſte with • arres rounde made. for to laſte In whiche noo wyght. kerue maye ne hewe And Adraſtus. with a Grekes fewe Repeyred is home. vnto his tente And all that nyght. he haſted and ſpente For his vnhap. in ſorowe complaynyng And they in Thebes. the next daye ſuyng Her deuoyre dyde. and her beſy cure To ordeyne. and make a ſepulture For her kyng. Iſlayne in the felde And offred vp. his baner and his ſhelde It were a deth. to ony man a lyuewarde • he • bes And yf I ſholde. by and by dyſcryue Theyre tender wepyng. and her wofull bale Her complayntes. with taces dede and pale Therof I myght. make a newe tale All mooſt. a daye you to occupye And as myn auctoure. clerely dooth certefye Through oute Grece. fro all the Regyons Oute of Cytees. and Royall towns Come all the ladyes. and wymmen of eſtate Full heuy chered. and dyſconſolate To this aſſemble. to forn as I you tolde I purpoſe fully. her Journey for to holde Towarde Thebes. theſe ſorowfull creatures There to bewayle. her wofull auentures Taquyte hemſelfe. of trouth in womanhede To her lordes. whiche in the felde laye dede And as the ſtory. lyketh to declare All this Journey. they wente on fote bare Lyke as they had gone. on pylgrymage In token of mornyng. barbed the vyſage wympled echone. and in burnette wedes Not in chares. drawen forth with ſtedes Nor on palfrays. blake neyther whyte The ſely wymmen. coude hem not delyte To holde her waye. but bare fote they wente Soo faythfully. euerychone they mente Thorugh heuyneſſe. defaced of her hewe And as I fynde. they were all trewe Now was not that a wonder for to ſee Soo many trewe. oute of oo coūtree Attones gadred. in a companye And feythfull all. bokes can not lye Bothe in her porte. and Inwarde in menyng Vnto my dome. it was an vncouthe thyng Among a thouſande wymmen or twayne To fynden one. that coude in herte fayne It was a meruayle. not ofte ſeen a forne For ſelde in feldes. groweth ony corne But yf ſome wede. ſpryng vp there among Men allaye wynes. whan they be to ſtrong But her trouth. was meynt with none allayes They were ſoo trewe. fonde at all aſſayes And they ne ſtynte. vpon her Journee Tyll that they come. there as they wolde be where Adraſtus wryten. as I fynde Laye in his tente. all of coloure ynde Gretly meruayled. whan that he behelde The nombre of hem. ſprad thrugh all the felde Clad all in blacke. and bare fote euerychone Oute of his tente. he dreſſed hym anone Vpon his honde. the kyng Campaneus Full tryſte in herte. and face ryght pyteous Agayn the wymmen forth. they wente I fere And to beholde. the wofull chere The wofull cryes. alſo whan they mette The ſorowfull ſyghes. in her breſtes ſhette The teres newe. dyſtyllyng on her faces And the ſwounyng. in many ſondry places Whan they her lordes. alyue not ne founde But in the felde. thrugh gyrte with many woū de Laye ſtarke vpryght. playnly to endyte with dedely eyen. tourned vp the whyte who made ſorowe. or felte her herte ryue For her lorde. but the fayre Argyue who can now wepe. but Deyphyle Tydeus for ſhe. ne myght fele whoos conſtrayntes. were ſoo kene That Adraſtus. myght not ſuſtene To beholde the ladyes. ſoo complayne wyſſhyng her herte. parted were on twayne But yet alas. bothe eue and morowehow curſed Creon wyl not ſuffre ye bodyes neyther to be buryed ne to be brent▪ A thyng there was. that doubled all her ſorowe That olde Creon. fader of felonye Ne wolde ſuffre. thorugh his tyrannye The dede bodyes. be buryed neyther I brente But with beſtes. and houndes to be rente He made hem all. vpon an hepe be layde wherof the wymmen. tryſte and euyll apayde For verray dooll. it was no wonder Her hertes felte. all mooſt reyne a ſonder And as my mayſter. lyſte to endyte All clad in black. with her wymples whyte with grete honoure. and due reuerence In the Temple. of the goddeſſe Clemence They abode the ſpace. of forty nyght Tyll Theſeus. the noble worthy knyght Duke of Athenys. with his chyualrye Repeyred home. out of Femynye And with hym ladde. full fayre vpon the ſene Thorugh his manhode. Ipolyta the quene And her ſuſter. called Emelye And whan theſe wymmen. gan fyrſte eſpye This worthy duke. as he came rydyng • ryng Adraſtus. hem all conueyeng The wymmen brought. to his preſence whiche hym beſought. to yeue hem audyence And all attones. ſwounyng in the place Full humbly. prayed hym of grace To rewe on hem. her harmes to redreſſe But yf ye lyſte. to ſee the gentylneſſe Of Theſeus. how he hath hym borneHow the fynall deſtruccion of thebes is compendiouſly reherſed in the knyght tale yf ye remembre. ye haue herde it to for • e well reherſed. at Depforde in the vale In the begynnyng. of the knygtes tale Fyrſte how that he. whan he herde hem ſpeke For verray reuthe. felte his herte breke And her ſorowes. whan he gan aduerte Fro his courſer. downe anone he ſterte Hem comfortyng. in full good entente And in his armes. he hem all vp hente The knyghtes tale. reherſeth euery dele Fro poynte to poynte. yf ye loke wele And how this duke. withoute more abode The ſame daye. towarde Thebes rode Full lyke in ſothe. a worthy conqueroure And in his Oſte. of chyualrye the floure And fynally. to ſpeken of this thyng with olde Creon. that was of Thebes kyng How yt he faught. & flow hym lyke a knyght And all his ooſt. put vnto flyght yet as ſome auctours make mencyon Or Theſeus entred. in to the town wymmen fyrſte. with pykeys and with malles with grete laboure. bete downe the walles And in her wrytyng. alſo as they ſayn Campaneus. was on the walles ſlayn with caſte of ſtone. he was ſoo ouerlade For whome Adraſtus. ſuche ſorow made That no man myght. hym relees of his payne And Jocaſta. with her doughters twayne Full wofully. opreſſed of her cheres To Athenes. were ſente as pryſoners what fell of hem. can I not ſeyn But Theſeus. myne auctoure wryte certeyn Oute of the felde. or he from Thebes wente He bette hit downe. and the houſes brente The people ſlowe. for all her cryeng loude Made the walles. and her towres proude Rounde aboute. euen vpon a rowe with the ſoyle. to be layde full lowe That nought was lefte. but the ſoyle all bare And to the wymmen. in relees of her care The bones of her lordes. that were ſlayneThe bones of her lordes were de lyuered to the ladyes by duke the ſeus▪ This worthy duke. reſtored hath agayne And what ſholde I. than lenger dwell The olde rytes. by and by to tell Nor the obſequyes. in order to deuyſe Nor to declare. the maner and the gyſe How the bodyes. were to aſſhes brente Nor of the gomes. in the flamme ſpente To make the ayer ſwetter of reles As frankenſence. myrre and aloes Nor how the wymmen. rounde aboute ſtode Some with mylke. and ſome alſo with blode And ſome of hem. with vrnes made of golde whan the aſſhes. fully were made colde To encloſen hem. of grete affeccyon And bere hem home. in to her regyon And how that other. full dedely of her loke For loue oonly. of the bones toke Hem to kepe. for a remembrance That to reherſe euery obſeruance That was done. in the fyres bryght The wake playes. duryng all the nyght Nor of the wraſtlyng. to tell poynt by poynt Of hem that weren. naked and enoynt How eueryche other. lugge gan and ſhake Nor how the wymmen. haue theyr leue take Of Theſeus. with full grete humbleſſe Thankyng hym. of his worthyneſſe That hym lyſte. on her woo to rewe And how that he. his fredome gan renewe with the wymmen. of his hye larges I parted hath eke. of his rycheſſe And how this duke. Thebes eke forſoke And to Athenes. the ryght waye toke with laurer crowned. in ſygne of vyctorye And the palme. of conqueſt and glorye Dyde his honoure. duely to Marte And how the wȳmen. wepte whan they departe with kyng Adraſtus. home ayen to ArgeHow ye kynge Adraſtꝰ with the ladyes repeyred ayen home to Arge To tell all. it were to grete a charge And eke alſo. as ye ſholde vnderſtonde Atte gynnyng. I toke noo more on honde By my promyſe. and in concluſyon But to reherſe. the deſtruccyon Of myghty Thebes. ſhortly and noo more And thus Adraſtus. with his lockes hore Styll abode. in Arge his Cyte Vnto his ende. ye gete noo more of me Saaf as myn auctoure. lyketh to compyle After that. he lyued but a whyle For he was olde. or the ſege began And thought and ſorowe. ſoo vpon hym ran The whiche in ſothe. ſhorted hath his dayes And tyme ſette. deth maketh noo delayes And all his Joye. paſſed was and gone For of his lordes. a lyue was not one But ſlayn at Thebes. ye knowen all the cas And what this kyng. in Arge buryed was Full royally. with grete ſolempnytee It was accompted. in bokes ye maye ſee Foure hundred yere. as made is mencyonFoure hundred yere to forn the fū dacōn of rome was thebes fynaly deſtroyed To forne the byldyng. and foundacyon Of grece Rome. ſoo Royally and ſoo large Whan the ladyes. departed fro Arge To her coūtrees. full tryſte and deſolate Loo here the fyne. of conteke and debate Loo here the myght. of Mars the myghty ſterre Loo what it is. to gynne a werre How it concludeth. enſample ye maye ſee Fyrſte of Grekes. and next of the Lytee For eyther parte. hath mater to complayne And in her ſtryfe. ye maye ſee thynges twayne The worthy blood. of all Grece ſpylte And Thebes eke. of Amphyon fyrſte bylte Withoute recure. brought in to ruyne And with the ſoyle. made playn as a lyne To wylderneſſe tourned. and deſerte And Gr • kes eke. falle in to pouerte Both of her men. and alſo of her good For fynally. all the gentyll blood Was ſhad oute there. her woūdes were ſoo wyde To loſe fynall. vnto eyther ſyde For in the werre. is none excepcyon Of hye eſtate. nor lowe condycyon But as fortune. and fate bothe I fere Lyſte to dyſpoſe. with her double chere And Bellona. the goddeſſe in her chare A forne prouydeth. therfore eche man beware Vnauyſed. a werre to begynne For noo man wote. who ſhall leſe or wynne And harde it is. whan eyther parte leſeth And doubteles. neyther of hem cheſeth That they muſte. in all ſuche mortall rage Maugre her lyſte. folowe grete domage It maye not be. by mannes myght reſtrayned And werre in ſoth. was neuer fyrſte ordeyned But for ſynne. folkes to chaſtyſe And as the byble. truly can deuyſeNota How yt werre fyrſt began in heuen by pryde & ſurque dye of proude Lucyfer Hye in heuen. of pryde and ſurquedye Lucyfer. fader of enuye The olde ſerpente. he Leuyathan Was the fyrſte. that euer w • rre began Whan Mycaell. the heuenly champyon With his fers. vaynquyſſhed the dragon And to helle. caſte hem downe full lowe The whiche ſerpente. hath the bockell ſowe Through all e • th. of enuye and debate That vnnethes. is there none eſtate Withoute ſtryfe. can lyue in charyte For euery man. of hye and lowe degre Enuyeth now. that other ſholde thryue And groūde and cauſe. why that men ſo ſcryue Is couetyſe. and falſe ambycyon That eueryche. wolde haue domynacyon Ouer other. and trede hym vnder fote Whiche of all ſorowe. gynnyng is and rote And cryſte recordeth. rede the boke & ye maye ſe For lack of loue. what myſchyfe there ſhall be For oo people. as he dooth deuyſeSurget gens contra gentē Luce xxi Agayn another. of hate ſhall aryſe And after tellyth. what dyuyſyons There ſhall be. at wene regyons Eueryche beſyde other to expreſſe And all ſuche ſtryfe. as he bereth wytneſſe Lralendes ben. I take his worde to borowe And a gynnyng. of myſchyfe and of ſorowe Men haue it founde. by experyence But the venym. and the vyolence Of ſtryfe of werre. of contek and debate That maketh londes. bare and deſolate Shall be proſcrypte. and voyded oute of place And Martys ſwerde. ſhall noo more manace Nor his ſpere. greuous to ſuſtene Shall now noo more. whetted be ſoo kene Nor he noo more. ſhall his hauberk ſhake But loue and peas. in hertes ſhall awake And charyte bothe. in lengthe and brede Of newe ſhall. her bryght bemes ſprede Through grace oonly. in dyuers nacyons For to reforme. atwene Regyons Peas and quyete. concorde and vnyte And he that is both. one and two and thre Eke thre in one. and ſouerayn lorde of peaſe Whiche in this exyle. for oure ſake theſe For loue oonly. oure troubles to termyne For to be borne. of a pure virgyne And lete vs praye to hym that is mooſt good That for mankynde. ſhed his herte blood Thrugh beſechyng. of that heuenly quene Wyfe and moder. and a mayde clene To ſende vs peas. here in this lyfe preſente And of oure ſynnes. parfyte amend • mente And Joye eternall. whan we hens wende Of my tale. thus I make an ende AMEN ¶ Here now endeth as ye maye ſee The deſtruccyon of Thebes the Lytee